Korean J Med.  2003 Nov;65(Suppl 3):S882-S884.

A case of anaphylactic reaction to oral cefaclor

• Kim SH
• Choi JH
• Ahn Y
• Park HS

Abstract

Antibiotics induced anaphylaxis is one of the most acute and potentially fatal drug-related adverse reactions. Cefaclor, an oral second-generation cephalosporin with a beta lactam ring, is used various infectious diseases of the respiratory tract. Few cases of cefaclor anaphylaxis have been rarely reported. Here we report a case of anaphylactic reaction to cefaclor in a 40-year-old female patient. She developed systemic reaction comprised of generalized hives with itching, vomiting, abdominal pain, and hypotension. She was treated on our ER with intravenous fluids, intravenous diphenhydramine and subcutaneous epinephrine. Since four month ago, she had developed generalized pruritic eruptions with flu-like symptoms. The rash resolved the same day after treated with intravenous diphenhydramine. On detailed history taking for medication, we had known that she received a same prescription containing a cefaclor at every episode. Subsequently we tested the patient with cefaclor and conducted an intradermal skin test and an ELISA to cefaclor-HSA conjugate. She showed a positive response. Cefaclor is widely used for common infections, physicians should anticipate the possibility of anaphylactic reaction treated with this agent, particularly in cases of multiple exposure.

Keyword

Anaphylaxis; Cefaclor; Immunoglobulin E

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Adult
Anaphylaxis*
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cefaclor*
Communicable Diseases
Diphenhydramine
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Epinephrine
Exanthema
Female
Humans
Hypotension
Immunoglobulin E
Prescriptions
Pruritus
Respiratory System
Skin Tests
Urticaria
Vomiting
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cefaclor
Diphenhydramine
Epinephrine
Immunoglobulin E