We now offer both in-office and telemedicine visits. Schedule your appointment today!
Skip to main content
310-556-1377 Book Appointment

Penicillin Allergy

Century City Allergy Our Services Penicillin Allergy

Century City Allergy

Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Specialists & Board-Certified Allergist located in Century City, Los Angeles, CA

Most people who have been told they are allergic to penicillin are not actually allergic. A simple evaluation can help clarify your allergy status and may give you access to safer, more effective, and more affordable antibiotic options when you need them. Dr. Meth and Dr. Lee are here to provide answers and guide you through the process with expert, personalized care.

Penicillin Q & A

Why this matters?

  • 10% of patients report a Penicillin allergy
  • <1% are confirmed truly allergic after testing
  • 5x higher risk of complications with alternative antibiotics

How does testing work?

  1. Medical history review: We start by understanding your original reaction: what happened, when it happened and what antibiotic you were taking at the time.
  2. Skin testing: Small amounts of Penicillin components are applied to the skin. This is safe, quick and done in our office with medical supervision. Some low-risk patients patients may proceed directly to the oral challenge after consultation with our board-certified allergists.
  3. Oral amoxicillin challenge: If skin testing is negative or for select low-risk patients proceeding directly, we adminster an observed oral dose of Amoxicillin (an antibiotic in the Penicillin class) to confirm the result before clearing the Penicillin allergy label.
  4. Notifying your care team: We will notify your primary care provider of your updated status so your records reflect your allergy status everywhere it matters.

Is the test safe?

  • Yes. Penicillin allergy testing is performed in a controlled medical setting with trained staff and emergency protocols in place. Serious reactions are exceedingly rare.

Who should get tested?

  • Anyone with a penicillin allergy who may need antibiotics in the future (especially before a surgery, dental procedure or recurrent infection).

What if I test positive?

  • A confirmed allergy is equally valuable as you'll know for certain.

How long does it take?

  • The full evaluation, inclduing consultation, skin testing and oral challenge, typically takes 2-4 hours and can be completed in a single visit.
What we offer

Services