Allergy (Beta-lactam)

Site: 
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco
UCSF Medical Center Mission Bay
UCSF Medical Center Parnassus Heights
Modified Date: 
December 1, 2019
Category: 
Syndrome Specific Guidelines
Document: 
PDF icon beta-lactam pathway 1.10.2019(6).pdf

I.PURPOSE

To guide clinicians in prescribing antibiotics for pediatric and adult inpatients with known or suspected history of allergic reactions to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics.

Inclusion/Exclusion

Location:

This guideline is for use on inpatient units. It is not for use in perioperative units, obstetrics units, neonatal units, or emergency departments. Perioperative unit refers to pre-operative holding areas, operating rooms, and the post-anesthesia care unit. Please page the on-call Allergy Fellow if assistance is needed with beta-lactam antibiotic allergy evaluation in these settings. This guideline would apply to post-operative patients admitted to an inpatient unit after surgery.

Population:

This guideline is for patients with documented allergy to penicillin OR cephalosporin antibiotics. If patient has documented allergies to penicillin AND cephalosporin antibiotic, please page the on-call Allergy Fellow for assistance with using this guideline.

Test Dose:

The Test Dose that is described in this guideline is a safe procedure that can be performed by primary teams on inpatient units. Allergy consultation is not needed when the Test Dose is used as part of the Inpatient Beta-Lactam Allergy Guideline. Allergy approval is needed for the Test Dose to be performed for medications other than beta-lactam antibiotics. With Allergy approval, the Test Dose can be performed by primary teams on acute and transitional care units for medications other than beta-lactam antibiotics outside of the Inpatient Beta-Lactam Allergy Guideline.

On-call Allergy Fellow Adult Pager: 443-0463

On-call Allergy Fellow Pediatric Pager: 443-0004

 

II.BACKGROUND

Most patients with a reported penicillin allergy are not actually allergic [1,2]. Furthermore, cross-reactivity rates between different beta-lactam antibiotics are low, and patients with true penicillin allergy can still safely receive many cephalosporins and carbapenems [12-15].

Inappropriate antibiotic use in patients with a beta-lactam allergy due to over-cautious avoidance of a wide range of beta-lactams has significant negative impact. Inpatients with reported penicillin allergy have longer hospital stays, receive more fluoroquinolones, clindamycin, and vancomycin, and have more Clostridium difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) infections [3].

A beta-lactam allergy guideline with recommendations for which antibiotics are safe to prescribe in patients with beta-lactam allergy can improve patient care by allowing these patients to receive more effective, less toxic, and/or less costly antibiotics [4]. 

Background for Penicillin (PCN) Allergy Pathway

  1. Penicillin skin testing is a validated tool for evaluating penicillin allergy, with a high negative predictive value [10-15]. Currently, it is recommended that a negative skin test to penicillin is followed by a test dose procedure, because minor determinants (breakdown products of penicillin) are not available for skin testing [11].
  2. Patients with penicillin allergy can still safely receive many cephalosporins and carbapenems [12-15]. Studies suggest that the risk of an allergic reaction to a 1st-generation cephalosporin in penicillin-allergic patients is increased by approximately 0.5% [13]. Penicillin-allergic patients are even less likely to react to later generation cephalosporins and carbapenems, with studies suggesting that cross-reactivity between penicillin and later generation cephalosporins less than 1% [13,14,15].
  3. Patients confirmed to be selectively allergic to aminopenicillins (amoxicillin or ampicillin) but who tolerate Penicillin G should avoid cephalosporins with identical R group side chains. Cephalexin (Keflex) is the only cephalosporin on UCSF formulary with identical R group side chains to aminopenicillins. Please page the on-call Allergy Fellow (adult pager 443-0463, pediatric pager 443-0004) for assistance determining cross-reactivity between aminopenicillins and cephalosporins not on UCSF formulary.

Background for Cephalosporin Allergy Pathway

  1. The allergic determinants of cephalosporins can be derived from the beta-lactam structure. However, cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins, and between different cephalosporins, is mainly dependent on the R-group side chain structures of these antibiotics. Some 1st-generation and 2nd-generation cephalosporins have a similar side chain to aminopenicillins. For later generation cephalosporins with side chains that differ completely from those of penicillins, there is minimal risk for cross-reactivity [13,14].
  2. Inpatients will not receive skin testing to cephalosporins because cephalosporin skin testing has a poor negative predictive value [7,8].
  3. Considering the similarity and dissimilarity of side chains is useful for determining cross-reactivity between cephalosporins. Cephalosporins with unique side chains from the cephalosporin that reportedly caused the initial reaction are less likely to cross-react and cause a reaction (Appendix 5) [7,8,13,14].

Definitions

Beta-lactam antibiotics: antibiotics whose chemical structure consists of a core beta-lactam ring with side chains – penicillins, cephalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems

Side chains: component of chemical structure of beta-lactam antibiotics; side chains can be identical/similar or unique between certain beta-lactam antibiotics

Adverse drug reaction: any adverse event due to pharmacologic effects of the drug

Allergic reaction: adverse drug reaction mediated by IgE activation of allergy cells (mast cells, basophils)

Type II-IV reaction: adverse drug reaction mediated by cells and proteins of the immune system but not involving IgE activation of allergy cells 

III.STEPS

  1. Step 1. Review medication administration history in APeX to see if patient tolerated beta-lactam antibiotic(s) in the past. Step-by-step suggestions for reviewing medication administration history in APeX are provided in Appendix 6.
  2. Step 2. Review the history of the adverse reaction for ALL agents in the pharmaceutical class of beta-lactam antibiotics listed in APeX with the patient to determine the type of reaction and recommended management (Appendix 1). Update the documented adverse reaction in APeX with the patient-reported history.
  3. Step 3. If appropriate, follow the Penicillin Allergy Pathway (Appendix 2) or Cephalosporin Allergy Pathway (Appendix 3). If the Penicillin Allergy Pathway or Cephalosporin Allergy Pathway suggests a Test Dose, follow directions for the Test Dose Procedure (Appendix 4). Please page the on-call Allergy Fellow (adult pager 443-0463, pediatric pager 443-0004) with the patient’s name/MRN if you have questions. If patient has documented allergy to penicillin AND cephalosporin antibiotic, please consult Allergy for assistance with using this guideline.
  4. Note: It is always an option to use an alternative antibiotic agent. Use of penicillin and/or cephalosporin pathway should not delay care of an active infection. An alternative antibiotic per the primary team or Infectious Disease service should be administered to treat active infection until the patient’s listed beta-lactam allergies have been addressed.

IV.REFERENCES

1. Rimawi RH, Cook PP, Gooch M, et al. The impact of penicillin skin testing on clinical practice and antimicrobial stewardship. J Hosp Med 2013;8(6):341–5.

2. Macy E, Ngor EW. Safely diagnosing clinically significant penicillin allergy using only penicilloyl-poly-lysine, penicillin, and oral amoxicillin. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2013;1(3):258–63.

3. Macy E, Contreras R. Health care use and serious infection prevalence associated with penicillin “allergy” in hospitalized patients: A cohort study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014;133(3):790–6.

4. Blumenthal K. G., et al. Impact of a clinical guideline for prescribing antibiotics to inpatients reporting penicillin or cephalosporin allergy. Ann. Allergy. Asthma Immunol. 115, 294–300.e2 (2015).

5. Sogn DD, Evan R, Shepherd G, et al. Results of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease collaborative clinical trial to test the predictive value of skin testing with major and minor derivatives in hospitalized adults. Arch Intern Med 1992;152:1025-1032. 


6. Lin RY. A perspective on penicillin allergy. Arch Intern Med 1992;152:930-937. 


7. Weiss MR. Drug allergy. Med Clin North Am 1992;76:857-882. 


8. Solley GO, Gleich GJ, Van Dellen RG. Penicillin allergy: clinical experience with a battery of skin-test reagents. J Allergy Clin Immunology 1982;69(2):238-244. 


9. Kalogeromitros D, Rigopoulous D, Gregorious S, et al. Penicillin hypersensitivity: value of clinical history and skin testing in daily practice. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2004;25(3):157-160. 


10. Macy E, Mangat R, Burchette RJ. Penicillin skin testing in advance of need: multiyear follow up in 568 test result-negative subjects exposed to oral penicillins. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;111(5):1111-1115 


11. Solensky R, Macy E. Minor determinants are essential for optimal penicillin allergy testing: a pro/con debate. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2015;3(6):883-7.

12. DePestel DD, Benninger MS, Danziger L, et al. Cephalosporin use in treatment of patients with penicillin allergies. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association 2008;48:530-540. 


13. Pichichero ME. Use of selected cephalosporins in penicillin-allergic patients: a paradigm shift. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease 2006;57:13S-18S. 


14. Pichichero ME. A review of evidence supporting the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation for prescribing cephalosporin antibiotics for penicillin-allergic patients. Pediatrics 2005;115:1048-1057.

15.Romano A, Viola M, Guéant-Rodriguez RM, et al. Brief communication: tolerability of meropenem in patients with IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to penicillins. Ann Intern Med 2007;146(4):266.

16. Pichichero ME, Zagursky R. Penicillin and cephalosporin allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2014;112:404-12.

17. Romano A, Gaeta F, Valluzzi RL, et al. IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to cephalosporins: cross-reactivity and tolerability of alternative cephalosporins. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2015;136:685-691.e683.18. Skalweit MJ. Profile of ceftolozane/tazobactam and its potential in the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections. Drug Des Devel Ther 2015;9:2919-25.

19. Kuhlen JL Jr, Blumenthal KG, Sokol CL, et al. Ceftaroline desensitization procedure in a pregnant patient with multiple drug allergies. Open Forum Infect Dis 2015;2:ofv027.

20. Blumenthal KG, Shenoy ES, Wolfson AR, et al. Addressing inpatient beta-lactam allergies: a multihospital implementation. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2017;5:616-25

 

V. APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Determining the Type of Reaction and Recommended Management

*SJS/TEN = Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

†DRESS/DISH = Drug Rash Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms / Drug-Induced Systemic Hypersensitivity

 

 

Appendix 2: Penicillin Allergy Pathway 

Guideline for prescribing beta-lactam antibiotics in patients with listed penicillin allergy. If patient has documented allergy to penicillin AND cephalosporin antibiotic, please consult Allergy for assistance using this guideline.

 

Appendix 3: Cephalosporin Allergy Pathway

Guideline for prescribing beta-lactam antibiotics in patients with listed cephalosporin allergy. If patient has documented allergy to penicillin AND cephalosporin antibiotic or if patient has documented allergy to 1st/2nd AND 3rd/4th/5th generation cephalosporin antibiotic, please consult Allergy for assistance with using this guideline.

Appendix 4: Test Dose Procedure

 

The ‘Adult Drug Test Dose Allergy Evaluation’ or ‘Pediatric Drug Test Dose Allergy Evaluation’ order sets available in APeX include the necessary orders for the Test Dose Procedure. If the primary team has questions or concerns after reading Appendix 4, please page the on-call Allergy fellow (adult pager 443-0463, pediatric pager 443-0004).

 

During the Test Dose Procedure, the patient receives a test dose (1/10th of full standard treatment dose). After 30 minutes, if the patient remains asymptomatic, the patient receives the full dose. The patient is monitored for 60 more minutes to ensure that he/she tolerates the medication. Appropriate precautions are necessary throughout the procedure and are outlined below.

 

If a patient tolerates a medication administered using the Test Dose Procedure, it confirms that the patient can tolerate the drug without developing an allergic reaction (i.e., a Type I, IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity reaction). The primary team can order ongoing antibiotic therapy using standard scheduled doses of this medication.

 

If a reaction occurs as a consequence of the Test Dose Procedure, follow the Action Plan for RN table and page the on-call Allergy fellow (adult pager 443-0463, pediatric pager 443-0004). Order a tryptase level within 1-2 hours after a possible allergic reaction.

 

Please document the results (medication tolerated or not tolerated) in the allergy section of APeX after the Test Dose Procedure is completed (as per Appendix 2 and 3).

 

Test Dose Procedure steps:

  1. If possible, hold beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors for 24 hours before administering the Test Dose.
    1. Beta-blockers can impair the effectiveness of epinephrine should it be required in the event of anaphylaxis. If beta-blockers have been administered within the last 24 hours, glucagon must be readily available to reverse the effects of beta-blockers in the event that epinephrine is needed to treat anaphylaxis.
    2. ACE inhibitors can increase the severity of an allergic reaction if a patient is allergic.
    3. Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors do not mask an allergic reaction, so even if a patient is on a beta-blocker and/or ACE inhibitor, if they do not have a reaction during the Test Dose Procedure, it means that they are not allergic to the medication in question.
    4. ADULT PATIENTS: If beta-blocker and/or ACE inhibitors have already been given, please order glucagon in the “Rescue Medications” panel. Call the on-call Allergy fellow (adult pager 443-0463) if assistance is needed with deciding when and how to proceed with the Test Dose.
    5. PEDIATRIC PATIENTS: If beta-blocker and/or ACE inhibitors have already been given, consult Pediatric Allergy (pager 443-0004) before ordering the test dose.
  2. Write for the following rescue medications to be immediately available on the floor during the Test Dose Procedure:
    1. Adult patient:
    2. Epinephrine 0.3 mg (1 mg/ml dilution) IM
    3. Benadryl 50 mg for IV/PO administration
    4. Hydrocortisone 100 mg for IV administration
    5. Albuterol 2.5mg of 0.083% inhalation solution
    6. Glucagon 1 mg IV if patient has received beta-blockers in the last 24 hours
    7. Pediatric patient:
  1. Epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IM, max 0.5 mg per dose
  2. Benadryl 1 mg/kg for IV/PO administration, max 50 mg per dose
  3. Methylprednisolone 2 mg/kg for IV administration, max 60 mg per dose OR Prednisone 2 mg/kg for PO administration, max 60 mg per dose
  4. Albuterol 2.5 mg of 0.083% inhalation solution
  5. Glucagon 0.03 mg/kg IV (< 12 years of age max 0.5 mg per dose, ≥12 years of age max 1 mg per dose) if patient has received beta-blockers in the last 24 hours (HARD STOP: Consult Pediatric Allergy, pager 443-0004, before ordering)
    1. Order the beta-lactam antibiotic to be administered using Test Dose Procedure. Doses for the test dose procedure are pre-calculated based on standard treatment doses for beta-lactam antibiotics.
    2. Step #1 –
      1. RN records vital signs prior to administration of test dose and places patient on continuous observation pulse oximeter. If vital signs have been checked within the last hour and the patient is stable, vital signs do not have to be rechecked.
      2. RN administers test dose (1/10th of full standard treatment dose). MD does not need to be present for test dose administration.
    3. Step # 2 – 30 minutes after administering the test dose
      1. RN checks to see if the patient has any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction (see Action Plan for RN).
      2. If the patient remains asymptomatic without signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction, RN administers the full dose. MD does not need to be present for administration.
    4. Step #3 – 60 minutes after administering the test dose, and 30 minutes after administering the full dose
      1. RN checks to see if the patient has any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction (see Action Plan for RN).
    5. Step #4 – 90 minutes after administering the test dose, and 60 minutes after administering the remainder of the full intended treatment dose
      1. RN checks vital signs and checks to see if the patient has any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction (see Action Plan for RN).
      2. If the patient remains asymptomatic without signs or symptoms or an allergic reaction, then the patient will have successfully completed the test dose procedure without any reaction and can subsequently receive the medication as scheduled by the team.
      3. RN notifies primary team that test dose is complete.

 

Action Plan for RN (in the event of a reaction)

For ANAPHYLAXIS (severe allergic reaction), give Epinephrine first

Reaction Severity

Symptoms

Treatment

 

 

 

 

Anaphylaxis

/ Severe
  • throat swelling
  • hives over > 50% body
  • SpO2 < 90%, cough/wheezing/dyspnea that does NOT respond to albuterol
  • hypotension (SBP < 90 mmHg) ± tachycardia
  • loss of consciousness
  • repeated vomiting
  • Stop infusion and check vital signs
  • Give epinephrine 0.3 mg IM
    • Give glucagon if patient has taken beta-blockers in the last 24 hours
  • Call rapid response or code team
  • Notify primary team and/or on-call Allergy fellow (adult pager 443-0463, pediatric pager 443-0004)

 Moderate
  • swelling of a body part that doesn’t involve the throat
  • cough/wheezing/dyspnea that responds to albuterol, SpO2 > 90%
  • Stop infusion and check vital signs
  • Give diphenhydramine
  • Give hydrocortisone if no resolution 10 minutes after giving diphenhydramine
  • Give albuterol for cough/wheezing/dyspnea with SpO2 > 90%
  • Notify primary team and/or on-call Allergy fellow (adult pager 443-0463, pediatric pager 443-0004)

Mild
  • itching, flushing
  • hives < 50% of body
  • eye redness/itching/tearing
  • sneezing, runny nose, congestion
  • nausea

Subjective

Subjective symptoms other than symptoms listed above.
  • Stop infusion and check vital signs
  • Notify primary team and/or on-call Allergy fellow (adult pager 443-0463, pediatric pager 443-0004) for guidance

 

 

Appendix 5: Cross-reactivity matrix of cephalosporin antibiotics on formulary at UCSF

This matrix describes the risk of cross-reactivity between two cephalosporin antibiotics. In this chart, only agents on formulary at UCSF Medical Center are included. A box with a (☠) symbol indicates that the two cephalosporin antibiotics share a similar or identical side chain, and that there is a risk for cross-reactivity between them. Empty boxes indicate a lack of side-chain similarity and a lower risk for cross-reactivity. Cefazolin (1st) and ceftaroline (5th) have dissimilar side chains to all other cephalosporins (including cephalosporins not on formulary at UCSF). [13,14,16-20]

 

 

Generation

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

Generation

  

Cefazolin

Cephalexin

Cefotetan

Cefoxitin

Cefuroxime

Cefdinir

Cefixime

Cefotaxime

Cefpodoxime

Ceftazidime

Ceftriaxone

Cefepime

Ceftaroline

Ceftolozane

1st

Cefazolin

=

                          

Cephalexin

  

=

                        

2nd

Cefotetan

    

=

                      

Cefoxitin

      

=

☠

                  

Cefuroxime

      

☠

=

  

☠

☠

☠

☠

☠

☠

  

☠

3rd

Cefdinir

          

=

☠

              

Cefixime

        

☠

☠

=

☠

☠

☠

☠

☠

  

☠

Cefotaxime

        

☠

  

☠

=

☠

☠

☠

☠

  

☠

Cefpodoxime

        

☠

  

☠

☠

=

☠

☠

☠

  

☠

Ceftazidime

        

☠

  

☠

☠

☠

=

☠

☠

  

☠

Ceftriaxone

        

☠

  

☠

☠

☠

☠

=

☠

  

☠

4th

Cefepime

        

☠

  

☠

☠

☠

☠

☠

=

  

☠

5th

Ceftaroline

                        

=

  

Ceftolozane

        

☠

  

☠

☠

☠

☠

☠

☠

  

=

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please page the on-call Allergy Fellow (adult pager 443-0463, pediatric pager 443-0004) for assistance determining cross-reactivity of beta-lactam antibiotics not on formulary at UCSF Medical Center.

Appendix 6: Reviewing APeX for History of Beta-Lactam Administration