When to call 9-1-1

How do you know if a reaction you’re having to your medication is dangerous? You may be having a serious reaction if you experience:

• Swelling of the throat
• Wheezing
• Light headedness
• Heart rhythm changes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal cramping
• Hives

Difficulty breathing is a “hallmark of all severe allergic reactions,” says Stephen Moon, M.D., interim emergency department medical director at West Valley Hospital in Dallas.

“Oftentimes, people have a sense, or a fear, that this is a serious reaction,” says Salem Hospital’s director of pharmaceutical services, Richard Proksch, R.Ph., M.S. If your instincts tell you that what you’re experiencing is serious, pick up your phone and dial 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.