PRE-PEN is the only FDA approved skin test for the diagnosis of penicillin allergy. PRE-PEN is administered through both scratch and intradermal testing and quickly identifies patients who can safely receive penicillin.
It is estimated that penicillin allergy is overstated due to non-confirmed, self-reported patient history. Approximately 85% of patients who describe themselves as penicillin allergic will have negative skin tests and can safely receive penicillin and related antibiotics.
Confirmation of the presence of a true allergy is critical and non-confirmed penicillin allergy may result in:
- Unnecessary denial of an effective and well tolerated treatment
- Increased out of pocket costs for patients, since many alternatives to penicillins are Tier 3 medications
- Overuse of broad spectrum antibiotics leading to increased drug-resistant bacteria
Visit www.pre-pen.com to learn more
Risk Information
The risk of sensitization to repeated skin testing with PRE-PEN is not established. Rarely, a systemic allergic reaction including anaphylaxis may follow a skin test with PRE-PEN. To decrease the risk of a systemic allergic reaction, puncture skin testing should be performed first. Intradermal skin testing should be performed only if the puncture test is entirely negative.
PRE-PEN is contraindicated in those patients who have exhibited either a systemic or marked local reaction to its previous administration. Patients known to be extremely hypersensitive to penicillin should not be skin tested. Please see the package insert for full prescribing information.
No single skin test or combination of tests can completely assure that a reaction to penicillin therapy will not occur.