Ensure Opioid Intolerance Is Documented Correctly
August 2018
Alerts about opioid allergies often pop up...but up to 80% of reactions may be documented incorrectly or incompletely.
Sort out NONallergic reactions. Point out that nausea, GI upset, drowsiness, and other common adverse effects aren't allergies.
Explain that flushing, itching, or sweating is often caused by direct histamine release due to opioids. This is considered a "pseudoallergy"...it isn't immune-mediated and isn't a true allergy.
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