Allergies
Drug Allergy and Other Adverse Reactions to Drugs
“Drug allergy” is a common term used for both a true allergic reaction and an adverse reaction to a medicine. Severe drug reactions account for 3% to 6% of all hospital admissions worldwide. Drug allergy accounts for less than 10% of these severe drug reactions.1
What Is a Drug Allergy?
There are two types of reactions to medicines:
- Adverse (non-allergic) reaction – most common reaction to medicines
- Drug allergy – a true allergy that involves your immune system
Adverse reactions to medicines are common. But true drug allergies are rare. Only about 5 to 10% of reactions to drugs are true allergic reactions.1 Many people use the terms “medicine allergy or “drug allergy” to refer to both types of reactions.
Drugs that most commonly trigger allergic reactions include:2
- Antibiotics, such as penicillin
- Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen and aspirin
- Anticonvulsants
- Monoclonal antibody therapy (this includes biologics [3] which are used to treat asthma, food allergies, and eczema)
- Chemotherapy
Only 5-10% of adverse reactions to medicines are allergic reactions. If you think you may be allergic to a medicine, tell your doctor. They may recommend seeing an allergist.
What Are the Symptoms of a Drug Allergy?
A drug allergy and an adverse reaction may have similar symptoms. A drug allergy involves your immune system.
Common symptoms of an allergic reaction to a drug can include:
- Rash or hives
- Itching
- Breathing problems
- Swelling, especially the face and tongue
The most common type of immune drug reactions are skin rashes (other than hives). These are normally what we call “drug rashes.” In these skin reactions, your skin becomes red, irritated, and may have bumps. Other types of skin reactions can occur due to drugs. For example, you may get bruises and ulcers.
A true drug allergy can cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis [4] [anna-fih-LACK-sis].
Symptoms of anaphylaxis usually involve more than one part of the body such as the skin, mouth, eyes, lungs, heart, gut, and brain. Some symptoms include:
- Skin rashes, itching, and hives
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Shortness of breath, trouble breathing, wheezing (whistling sound during breathing)
- Stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Feeling like something awful is about to happen
Anaphylaxis can occur minutes after ingesting a drug or being exposed to an allergen and can get worse quickly. You can’t predict how your body will react to a certain allergen from one time to the next. Both the types of symptoms and how serious they are can change. So, it’s important to be prepared for all allergic reactions, especially anaphylaxis.
The first-line treatment for anaphylaxis is epinephrine [5]. You must treat anaphylaxis right away for the best chance for improvement and to prevent serious, potentially life-threatening complications.
If you have an allergic reaction to a medicine, stop taking it and contact your doctor right away.
There are many other ways the immune system may react to a drug which are not considered an allergy. For example, antibodies to certain drugs can destroy red blood cells. This can cause anemia.
What Are the Symptoms of an Adverse Reaction to a Drug?
An adverse reaction – or non-allergic reaction – to a medicine does not involve your immune system. But some of the symptoms can be similar.
An example of an adverse reaction to a medicine is getting an upset stomach or diarrhea from an antibiotic or vomiting and hair loss from a chemotherapy drug.
Types of Adverse Reactions to Drugs
There are different types of adverse reactions to drugs:
- Overdosing: An overdose happens when you take more than the recommended or prescribed dose. Reactions due to overdosing can be harmful and you may not realize it’s happening. For example, if you take too much acetaminophen (TYLENOL®), it can affect your liver. Often, you don’t know you are reacting to an overdose until the condition becomes severe and can cause damage that can’t be reversed.
- Known side effects: Many drugs have known side effects. For example, some antihistamines (such as BENADRYL®) can make you drowsy.
- Indirect effects: A good example of an indirect effect is when antibiotics cause diarrhea. This is because it affects the normal bacteria in your bowel.
- Drug interactions: Drug interactions happen when you take two medicines that cause side effects when you take them together. This can occur when the two drugs both pass through the liver the same way. For example, the liver metabolizes erythromycin (an antibiotic) and theophylline (an asthma medicine) through the same pathway. When you take them together, the metabolism of theophylline slows. The theophylline can reach toxic levels.
- Worsening of a known condition: This can happen when you take a drug for one condition, but it makes another condition worse. For example, if you take a beta-blocker for a heart condition, it may make your asthma worse.
- Idiosyncratic reactions: Some drugs tend to cause unusual reactions for reasons experts do not understand. For example, quinolone antibiotics (such as levofloxacin) may cause a tendon rupture. But experts don’t know why some people are more likely to have this side effect or how the rupture happens.
If you have any reaction to a medicine that concerns you, talk with your doctor.
How Does a Doctor Diagnose a Drug Allergy?
If you think you may be allergic to a medicine, see a board-certified allergist, if possible.
To diagnose a drug allergy, your doctor will do a physical exam [6] and will ask you about your medical history. Your doctor may do allergy testing [7] to confirm a true allergy. But tests are only available for a small number of drugs that cause these reactions. Your doctor may then make a diagnosis based on your medical history and symptoms. Or they may have you stop the drug to see if your symptoms go away.
One test available is the test for penicillin allergy. Penicillin is one of the most common causes of drug allergy. But many people who have been diagnosed with a penicillin allergy may not be truly allergic. They may also lose their allergy over time.3
Sometimes the allergist will do a drug challenge. A drug challenge is a test where the allergist gives you a small amount of a drug in gradual doses while observing you to watch for a reaction.
Medical Review [8]: May 2024 by Neeta Ogden, MD
Closed
Drug Company Assistance Programs
The medicines covered by the programs below may change at any time. The following medicines are covered as of Jan. 24, 2025.
Company:
- AstraZeneca
Medicines offered:
- AIRSUPRA®
If you have commercial insurance: If you have employer-provided or individual private (commercial) insurance, you may be able to get AIRSUPRA for as low as $0 with the SUPRA Savings Card [9].
If you have government insurance: For people with Medicare Part D coverage, the average out-of-pocket cost is $89 per month. For people with Medicaid, the out-of-pocket costs range from $.99-$13 per month. Some states offer even lower copays or eliminate the copay altogether. If you have Medicare Part D and cannot afford AIRSUPRA, you may be eligible for the patient assistance program, AZ&Me [10].
If you have no insurance: If you do not have health insurance or your insurance does not cover AIRSUPRA, you will pay the amount determined by your pharmacy. You may also be eligible for the patient assistance program, AZ&Me [10].
Learn more on the Cost Assistance with AIRSUPRA [11] website or call 866-480-0030.
Company:
- AstraZeneca
Medicines offered:
- BEVESPI AEROSPHERE®
- BREZTRI AEROSPHERE®
- SYMBICORT®
- FASENRA®
- TEZSPIRE®
If you have commercial insurance, government insurance, or no insurance:
AstraZeneca US Patient Support offers various savings for several of their medicines. They offer copay savings cards and patient assistance programs depending on what type of insurance you have.
For more information, visit AZPatientSupport [12] or call 800-236-9933.
AstraZeneca has capped the cost of their inhalers to $35 if you have commercial or private insurance. Learn more about the price cap. [13]
Company:
- AstraZeneca
Medicines offered:
- TEZSPIRE®
If you have commercial insurance: The TEZSPIRE Together Co-Pay Program [14] can help may help you save regardless of income if you qualify. Get doses for as little as $0 and up to $100 off your in-office administration costs (pre-filled syringe only). Learn more on the TEZSPIRE Together Co-Pay Program [14] website or call 888-987-7473.
If you have government insurance: The TEZSPIRE Together Program [15], you may be able receive TEZSPIRE at no cost if you qualify. This includes people who:
- Are uninsured
- Have Medicare Part B with no supplemental insurance
- Have a Medicare Advantage plan with an affordability gap
- Have insurance that does not cover TEZSPIRE
For more information, call 888-987-7473.
Company:
- Boehringer Ingelheim
Medicines offered:
- Atrovent® HFA
- Combivent® Respimat®
- Spiriva® Respimat®
- Stiolto® Respimat®
- Striverdi® Respimat®
If you have commercial insurance or don’t have insurance: If you qualify, your cost will automatically be discounted when you buy these inhalers at participating retail pharmacies. If your cost is more than $35, download and use a savings card. Learn more at: InhalerOffer.com [16]
If you have government-funded insurance: If you use Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, or TRICARE, visit the Boehinger Cares Patient Assistance Program [17] webpage or call 800-556-8317 to apply for assistance.
Boehringer Ingelheim has capped the cost of their inhalers to $35 if you have commercial or private insurance. Learn more about the price cap. [13]
Company:
- Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Medicines offered:
- DUPIXENT®
If you have commercial insurance: The Dupixent MyWay® Copay Card may help you lower the cost of your copay. Learn more on the Dupixent MyWay Copay Card website [18] or call 844-DUPIXENT (844-387-4936), option 1.
If you don't have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover Dupixent: You can apply for the DUPIXENT MyWay Patient Assistance Program [19]. For more information or to sign up, call 844-DUPIXENT (844-387-4936), option 1.
If you have Medicare: At this time, there is not a savings program for Dupixent if you have Medicare. Call 844-DUPIXENT (844-387-4936), option 1 for more information.
If you have Medicaid: Your copay and coverage may vary depending on what state you live in. If you meet the criteria, you may also be able to get help from the DUPIXENT MyWay Patient Assistance Program [19]. For more information or to sign up, call 844-DUPIXENT (844-387-4936), option 1.
Medicines covered:
- Epinephrine devices – all brands
Savings programs:
- See AAFA’s list of all available epinephrine devices [20] and their patient assistance programs.
Company:
- Genentech
Medicines offered:
- Xolair®
If you have commercial insurance: Genentech offers a copay savings program for Xolair [21]. You may also be able to get help from an independent copay assistance foundation [22]. 
If you have government insurance or don’t have insurance: You may be able to get help from an independent copay assistance foundation. Find programs. [22]
Company:
- GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)
Medicines offered:
- ARNUITY ELIPTA
- ANORO ELLIPTA
- BREO ELLIPTA
- INCRUSE ELLIPTA
- NUCALA®
- SEREVENT®
- TRELEGY®
If you have commercial insurance: You may be eligible for the GSK Copay Assistance Program [23].
If you have Medicare or no insurance: You may qualify for the GSK Patient Assistance Program [24]. This program can help you receive certain GSK prescription medicines and vaccines at no cost.
For more information, visit GSK Patient Assistance Program & Savings Offers [25] or call 888-825-5249.
GSK has capped the cost of their inhalers to $35 if you have commercial or private insurance. Learn more about the price cap. [13]
Company:
- GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)
Medicines offered:
- NUCALA®
If you have commercial insurance: If you have a commercial medical or prescription insurance plan, you may be able to take part on the NUCALA Copay Program [26]. If you are approved, the GSK Copay Program may help with your cost share for NUCALA and the your cost share for administration up to the total annual copay program maximums.
If you have government insurance or no insurance: You are not eligible for this program if you are covered by any federal or state prescription insurance program.
For more information, visit the NUCALA Copay Program [27] website or call 800-691-1939.
Company:
- Organon
Medicines offered:
- ASMANEX® HFA
- ASMANEX® TWISTHALER®
- DULERA®
If you have commercial insurance: If you qualify, you may be able to save with an ASMANEX Multiuse Savings Coupon [28].
If you qualify, you may pay as little as $15 per Dulera prescription [29] on each of up to 12 qualifying prescriptions. The maximum savings is $90 per prescription.
If you have government insurance or no insurance: At this time, there is no assistance program if you have Medicaid or Medicare.
Company:
- Teva
Medicines Covered:
- QVAR RediHaler®
- CINQAIR®
Teva Cares Patient Assistance Program [30] provides certain Teva medicines at no cost if you live in the United States and meet specific insurance and income criteria. Learn more about program eligibility. [31]
If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for the Teva Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Programs, you may be eligible for help from other programs they offer.
For more information, visit the Teva Cares Foundation [32] website or call 888-838-2872.
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Pharmacy Drug Savings Programs
Program Name:
- Blink Health [34]
Contact Information:
- 844-265-6444
- info@blinkhealth.com [35]
About the Program:
- Blink Health finds the lowest price for the medicines you need. Find discounted prescription prices on more than 15,000 medicines.
Program Name:
- BlinkRX [36]
Contact Information:
- 844-926-2480
- support@blinkrx.com [37]
About the Program:
- BlinkRx is a digital pharmacy service that carries certain medicines. They can provide the lowest prescription price while providing free home delivery.
Program Name:
- GoodRx [38]
Contact Information:
- 855-268-2822
About the Program:
- GoodRx is a free resource that lets you compare medicine prices and find discounts.
Looking for savings on asthma inhalers? See the GoodRx Savings Guide [39] for ways you may be able to save money on 25 asthma inhalers.
Program Name:
Contact Information:
- 833-317-2937
About the Program:
- The Kroger Health Savings Club is an annual membership program that entitles members to reduced prices on prescription drugs.
Program Name:
Contact Information:
- Online Contact Form [42]
About the Program:
- Mark Cuban CostPlus Drug Company offers access to affordable medicines at the lowest possible price. Learn about program eligibility. [43]
Program Name:
Contact Information:
- 888-331-1002
About the Program:
- The SCBN Prescription Assistance program is for uninsured or underinsured people who cannot afford their prescribed medicines.
- The program requires a membership fee to participate.
Program Name:
Contact Information:
- Contact your local Walmart pharmacy
About the Program:
- The Walmart low-cost Prescription Program includes up to a 30-day supply for $4 and a 90-day supply for $10 of some covered generic drugs at commonly prescribed dosages. Prices for some drugs covered by the program may vary by state.
Program Name:
- Prescription Hope [46]
Contact Information:
- 877-296-4673
About the Program:
- Prescription Hope provides access to brand-name medicines for only $60 a month per medication through their medication access service. Learn about program eligibility [47].
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Nonprofit Copay and Premium Assistance Programs
Organization:
Contact Information:
- 800-511-5144 (TTY 711)
- customercare@acariahealth.com [49]
About the Program:
- AcariaHealth provides specialty pharmacy services for people living with complex and chronic health conditions. Their Copay Assistance Support Team will research and apply to qualifying patient assistance programs on behalf of the patient. Learn about the program [50].
Organization:
- Accessia Health [51]
Contact Information:
- 800-366-7741
About the Program:
- Accessia Health provides financial help to pay for copays, health insurance premiums, travel costs, and other medical expenses. Learn about program eligibility [52].
Organization:
- Good Days [53]
Contact Information:
- 877-968-7233
About the Program:
- Good Days provides financial support for people who cannot afford the treatment they urgently need.
- Copay, travel, premium, and diagnostic testing assistance may be available.
- Learn about eligibility criteria [54].
Organization:
- Harbor Path [55]
Contact Information:
- 980-859-3483
- info@harborpath.org
About the Program:
- Harbor Path delivers lifesaving medicine for free to people who are uninsured. They currently serve 24 states. Use the eligibility calculator to see if you qualify. [56]
Organization:
Contact Information:
- 800-675-8416
- grants@healthwellfoundation.org [58]
About the Program:
- HealthWell Foundation provide financial assistance to help with prescription copays, travel costs, behavioral health services, health insurance premiums, deductibles, and copays. Please note that diseases covered may change from time to time.
Organization:
Contact Information:
- 866-316-7263
About the Program:
- The PAN Foundation offers financial help for out-of-pocket medicine costs including copays, health insurance premiums, and transportation costs related to medical care. Learn about program eligibility [60]. Please note that diseases covered may change from time to time.
Organization:
Contact Information:
- 866-512-3861
About the Program:
- PAF’s Co-Pay Relief (CPR) program provides direct financial help to qualified people with co-payments, co-insurance or cost-sharing associated with prescription drugs through funds for specific disease states. Learn about program eligibility [62]. Please note that diseases covered may change from time to time.
Organization:
- Rx Outreach [63]
Contact Information:
- 800-769-3880
About the Program:
- Rx Outreach provides discounted medicines for eligible people. Learn about the program. [64]
Organization:
Contact Information:
- 855-845-3663
About the Program:
- TAF helps people and families by providing them with financial help for their copays, coinsurance, premiums, deductibles, and other health-related expenses.
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Patient Assistance Tools and Databases
Tool:
- BenefitsCheckUp® [66] – National Council on Aging
Contact Information:
- 800-794-6559
More Information:
- BenefitsCheckUp® is a free service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA). It is an online tool to connect older adults and people with disabilities to benefit programs such as health care, medicine, food, utilities, and more.
Tool:
- Dispensary of Hope [67]
Contact Information:
- 615-736-5075
- info@dispensaryofhope.org [68]
About the Program:
- Dispensary of Hope provides medicine to communities, free of cost. They are a charitable medication distributor dedicated to providing pharmacies and clinics with reliable access to medication that was generously donated by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Find a dispensing site near you, here. [69]
Tool:
- NeedyMeds [70]
Contact Information:
- 800-503-6897
- info@needymeds.org
More Information:
- A national nonprofit that connects people to programs that may help them afford their medicines and other health care costs.
Tool:
- PhRMA’s Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) [71] – Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Contact Information:
- 571-350-8643
More Information:
- PhRMA’s Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) is a search engine for many patient assistance resources offered by drug makers.
Tool:
Contact Information:
- info@rxassist.org [73]
More Information:
- RxAssist offers a comprehensive database of patient assistance programs. Learn about the eligibility requirements. [74]
Tool:
- SingleCare [75]
Contact Information:
- 844-234-3057
- support@singlecare.com [76]
More Information:
- SingleCare works with pharmacies on discounts on prescriptions. Look up prescriptions to find the lowest prices in your area.
Tool:
Contact Information:
- 800-719-5147
- rxsavingsfinder@rxsense.com
About the Program:
- Walgreens Rx Savings Finder can help you find prescription discount cards that can help you find the lowest price on a medicine at Walgreens.
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State Drug Assistance Programs
Organization:
- Extra Help [78] – Social Security Administration
Contact Information:
- 800-772-1213
- (TTY 800-325-0778)
More Information:
- The Extra Help program helps people with limited income and resources lower or cut Medicare Part D costs.
Organization:
- State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) [79] – National Technical Assistance Center
Contact Information:
- 877-839-2675
- info@shiphealth.org
More Information:
- Free insurance counseling and help to Medicare-eligible people, their families, and caregivers.
Organization:
- California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal [80] – CalAIM
Contact Information:
- Contact your local county office.
More Information:
- CalAIM offers people on Medi-Cal access to services that address physical, behavioral, developmental, dental, and long-term care needs.
Organization:
- State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program [81] – Medicare.gov
More Information:
- Find out if your state has a state pharmaceutical assistance program [81].
Organization:
- Pharmaceutical Assistance Program [82] – Medicare.gov
More Information:
- Learn more about pharmaceutical companies that offer programs to help pay for prescriptions for people with a Medicare Drug Plan (Part D).
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Community Resources
American Sleep Apnea Association [83]: Assists people with sleep apnea who cannot afford their CPAP mask supplies through the CPAP Assistance Program.
Friends of Man [84]: Receives applications for mobility equipment, prosthetics, home modifications, medical equipment, hearing aids, basic needs and much more. The referral must be made by a professional. This includes caseworkers, case managers, health care workers, social workers, school counselors, teachers, and clergy.
FoodFinder [85]: A map of food pantries across the United States. Search your ZIP code to learn about free food assistance programs near you.
FundFinder [86]: Helps you find financial assistance from charitable foundations.
Inspira Financial [87]: Funds in a health savings account (HSA) or a health care flexible spending account (FSA) can be used for eligible medical expenses.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul [88]: A national non-profit that provides local assistance and services.
United Way 211 [89]: The most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country.
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AAFA Regional Chapters
The AAFA New England Chapter [90] has more information on drug assistance for Massachusetts residents.
The AAFA Michigan Chapter [91] has more information on drug assistance for Michigan residents, including the Jared Williams Medication Fund (JWMF).
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