Individual Allergen - DRUGS

This test allows you to check for a specific allergy (IgE) response to individual medicines and drug-related substances. Drug allergies can range from mild reactions to more serious ones, and identifying whether you have an antibody response to a particular substance can be a useful part of understanding and managing your risk. You can select the individual allergens you wish to test for from the list below, at £25 per marker.

How it works

• Choose the individual allergens you would like to test from the list below
• Each marker is £20, and you can select as many as you need
• A single blood sample is used to test all your chosen allergens

An important note on interpretation

This test measures the allergy (IgE) antibody response to a substance. A positive result indicates sensitisation, meaning your immune system has produced antibodies to that substance, but it does not on its own confirm that you will have an allergic reaction, and the level does not always reflect how severe a reaction might be. Equally, a negative result does not completely rule out a reaction, as some drug reactions do not involve this type of antibody. For these reasons, results must always be interpreted alongside your symptoms and clinical history by a doctor. If you have experienced a serious reaction to a medicine, this should be assessed by an allergy specialist, and you should never restart a medicine you have reacted to without medical advice.

A note on safety

If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a medicine, with symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or collapse, this is a medical emergency and must be assessed by a doctor. Please do not rely on a blood test alone to guide decisions about a medicine you have reacted to.

Why it matters

Understanding whether you have an antibody response to a particular medicine can be a helpful part of assessing a suspected drug allergy. Because drug allergy is complex and results need careful interpretation, any testing is best discussed with your GP or an allergy specialist, who can consider your results alongside your history and advise on safe use of medicines.

Allergens to choose from
- Penicilloyl G (C1)
- Penicilloyl V (C2)
- Cephalosporin (C55)
- Ampicillin (C203)
- Amoxicillin (C204)
- Insulin (C70)
- Insulin, bovine (C71)
- Insulin, human (C73)
- Gelatin (C74)
- ACTH (C206)

No special preparation required.

For blood tests, we recommend drinking plenty of water beforehand to ensure smooth sample collection. If you are taking any regular medication, continue to do so unless advised otherwise by your doctor.