The Barbarian
Active Member
Yes. That's not toxicity as it's normally defined. An allergic reaction happens when a substance reacts with your immune system. Most commonly, it reacts with immuneglobuin E, which is bound to mast cells. When the substance binds to IgE, this cases the cells to release histamine and heparin, which causes the allergic reaction. In some cases, it can be rapidly fatal. Normally, such a reaction requires an initial sensitizing exposure, after which a second exposure causes a severe reaction.Or if you allergic to the main ingredient of a medication.
While most medications are not allergens themselves, they can be haptens, binding to a protein like albumin, after which the hapten/protein complex causes an allergic reaction.