Evaluating and potentially removing false penicillin allergy labels

Diagnostic De-labeling of Patients With False Diagnosis of Penicillin Allergy: A Tool for Improving Antimicrobial Treatment and Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance

Not applicable Interventional Oslo University Hospital · NCT03581604

This study is testing if people who have been told they are allergic to penicillin can actually tolerate the medication and how accurate the tests for this allergy are.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorOslo University Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Oslo, Postbox 4950 Nydalen)
Trial IDNCT03581604 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to assess the prevalence of penicillin allergy and the effectiveness of diagnostic tests used to confirm or exclude this allergy. It focuses on patients who have been labeled as allergic to penicillin, investigating their actual tolerance to the medication through a comprehensive allergologic work-up and clinical assessments. The study will also analyze immunological parameters to better understand the health implications of a penicillin allergy diagnosis.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adult patients referred for suspected penicillin allergy based on clinical history.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of severe allergic reactions or specific hypersensitivity syndromes will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help many patients avoid unnecessary restrictions on their medication options and improve their treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have indicated that many patients labeled with penicillin allergies can tolerate the drug, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients who are referred to the department of Pulmonary medicine with clinical history suspected of having penicillin allergy.
* The control group will be healthy adult volunteers with no history of any personal or family history of drug allergy, atopy, inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Systemic reactions such as DRESS, any internal organ involvement
* Clinical history of Type II-III hypersensitivity reaction
* Severe Type IV hypersensitivity reaction such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, DRESS, vasculitis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis
* Chronic idiopathic urticaria on antihistamine maintenance treatment/anti-IgE treatment
* Medication which can affect the test outcome
* Active signs of an underlying disease such as uncontrolled asthma
* Cardiac disease with increased risk of serious anaphylaxis
* Pregnancy/Breastfeeding
* Reaction within the last 4-6 weeks

Where this trial is running

Oslo, Postbox 4950 Nydalen

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Allergy DrugPenicillin/b-lactams
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.