Ms. Hanh previously suffered from angina, for which doctors prescribed aspirin, an antiplatelet drug. However, unusual symptoms appeared 45 minutes after she took the first dose. She developed swollen eyelids, conjunctival hyperemia, an itchy full-body rash, and shortness of breath, requiring emergency care at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi. Doctors managed her allergic reaction, preventing severe risks like laryngeal edema or anaphylactic shock, and diagnosed her with aspirin allergy.

According to M.Sc. Dr. Do Tung Lam, aspirin was irreplaceable for Ms. Hanh's condition. Consequently, she underwent oral aspirin desensitization following a personalized protocol.

Over two days, Dr. Lam administered aspirin to Ms. Hanh, starting with a very small dose and gradually increasing it until the therapeutic dose was achieved. This process allowed her immune system to adapt and prevent a strong reaction to the medication. The procedure was successful, and Ms. Hanh experienced no allergic reactions, eventually safely resuming daily aspirin.

Dr. Lam explained that drug allergies are common, causing discomfort and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis if severe. Allergies to irreplaceable medications, such as antibiotics, tuberculosis drugs, or cardiovascular drugs, can disrupt or render treatment protocols ineffective. Dr. Lam advises patients exhibiting drug allergy symptoms like a red rash, itching, shortness of breath, or swollen lips to seek consultation from an allergy specialist at a reputable hospital for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Desensitization is a valuable method for patients who must take an allergenic drug, enabling them to transition from an allergic state to drug tolerance. Treatment protocols are typically individualized, depending on the drug type, allergy severity, and patient's constitution. The process can span from several hours to a few days or weeks, requiring specialist supervision due to the potential for severe allergic reactions.

Thanh Ba