Q: I am 40 years old and have drug allergy. Is there a test, which will help me to find out which drug will suit for me or not? I have heard about RAST; will this give me the result what I need?

A:Allergy to drugs is a specific problem. People who are allergic to ampicillin may not be allergic to other antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin. The only way is through experience gained by using them. However, allergy is generally to a class of drugs. For example a person who is allergic to ampicillin is likely to be allergic to other similar drugs belonging to the same group/class such as amoxycillin, cloxacillin etc. Similarly a person who is allergic to ciprofloxacin is likely to be allergic to all other Quinolones (floxacins) such as norfloxacin, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, lomefloxacin, pefloxacin, moxifloxacin etc.