Allergies

Allergy to Tylenol and Advil

10/08/2007 02:40PM

Question:

I have recently developed allegies to both Tylenol and Advil. I am being treated by a certified allergist where he has tested me etc. My question is, if I am allergic to both what can I take when I have a headache, fever, mentral cramps etc? I am really suffering everytime I have one of these systems. Although my Primary Care Provider has stated very few can be allergic to both of these, I however am. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:

First it is important to determine what type of reaction you have had to these medications. Were they actually allergic or "IgE mediated" or were they intolerance due to predictable or unpredictable side effects. Second, there are non-acetylated agents like trilisate and disalcid that might be tolerated as the reactions to aspirin and NSAIDS seem to involve acetyl groups and patients with true aspirin/NSAID sensitivity seem to tolerate these medications. Unfortunately they are not very strong analgesics. Third, it may be necessary for you to undergo a graded oral challenge which is like a desensitization to one or both of these medications which should allow you to tolerate them in the future. There are several well published protocols for aspirin and/or NSAID desensitization that your certified allergist should be able to assist you with.

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Response by:

Jonathan Bernstein, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Immunology and Allergy
Department of Internal Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati