Drug Allergy Center
What we do
Drug allergies are commonly reported, but often misdiagnosed. Our goal is to enable adult and pediatric patients to safely receive the most effective treatment for their condition by confirming or removing medication allergies. At the Northwell Drug Allergy Center, our experts provide evaluation, medication challenges and desensitization for a wide range of medications. The most common reasons for a referral to our center are drug allergies to antibiotics, aspirin (and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen), intravenous contrast, biologic, anesthetic and chemotherapy agents.
What to expect
During your initial visit, the doctor will review your comprehensive medical history, including your reactions to medications, and perform a physical exam. Depending on the drug and type of allergic reaction that occurred, the doctor may recommend skin testing, a medication challenge or desensitization. Your drug allergy evaluation may require more than one visit. We will work with your primary care physician and other care providers to ensure that you safely receive the necessary medication.
Research focus
We are dedicated to raising the standard of health care through leading-edge research. Our specific clinical and research interests are penicillin and aspirin allergies, chronic rhinosinusitis, including aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), as well as the effect of rituximab on the immune system.
Penicillin Allergy Program
Although 10% of the people report a penicillin allergy, most of them are misdiagnosed. More than 95% of people who are labeled with a penicillin allergy are not truly allergic. When someone has a penicillin allergy, broader spectrum antibiotics are often used for treatment. We established our Penicillin Allergy Program to help children and adults who are misdiagnosed with penicillin allergy to avoid unnecessary use of stronger antibiotics with higher toxicity. For people with confirmed penicillin allergy, we offer outpatient and inpatient desensitization when the drug is needed.
Aspirin allergy
We perform desensitization for aspirin-allergic patients, including people who need aspirin for prophylaxis and treatment of heart disease, stroke, and for aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD, Samter’s triad or aspirin-sensitive asthma). People with severe asthma, chronic sinus disease and nasal polyps who require repeat sinus surgeries may have AERD. Aspirin desensitization has been shown to reduce the need for sinus surgeries and significantly improve symptoms in patients with AERD.
Effect of rituximab on the immune system
Immunomodulatory medications regulate the immune system and are widely used to treat conditions such as autoimmune diseases and cancer. These medications can suppress some parts of the immune system. One of our research interests is the effect of rituximab on the immune system. We monitor the immune system before, during and after treatment with rituximab to ensure that any adverse effects of the medication on the immune system are addressed.
Our team
