Majority of Australians who report penicillin allergy not truly allergic

Most Australians who say they’re allergic to penicillin likely aren’t truly allergic, prompting the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy to update its guidelines. The society says evidence indicates up to 90% of reported penicillin allergies are not confirmed allergies. Penicillin is commonly prescribed in Australia, where older figures suggested about 10% of people had an allergy. The new advice, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, outlines how GPs and other health professionals should diagnose and manage suspected allergy cases and when to refer to specialists. Clinicians cited mislabeling after rashes or nausea, cautious recording of side effects, and inherited family diagnoses. The goal is to reduce longer hospital stays and antimicrobial resistance, as penicillin-avoidance can force use of broader-spectrum antibiotics.