What is the cross-reactivity of cephalosporins and carbapenems in a patient with a penicillin allergy?
Cephalosporins and carbapenems are antimicrobials that have a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.1 Cephalosporins and carbapenems are utilized for the treatment of a variety of common infections. A documented allergy to penicillin automatically flags a patient against the use of a cephalosporin or carbapenem, which can limit therapeutic options for treatment of infection. It is important to appropriately evaluate a patient’s allergy to medication since this can aid in the assessment of whether or not to use a related medication for treatment.2 Many patients will report an allergy to a medication, but in fact the reaction is more likely due to intolerance to the medication, not a true allergy.2 Allergies to penicillin are frequently documented, but the reaction is rarely documented. This is an important piece of information that is useful in determining whether or not a patient is eligible to receive other antimicrobial therapies. Allergic reacti
