Fatal Reactions to Penicillin

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Abstract
SERIOUS anaphylactic reactions to penicillin are an increasing clinical problem. It has been estimated that more than 1000 deaths from such reactions have occurred in the United States alone.1 Practically all these deaths resulted from immediate anaphylactic shock reactions to penicillin rather than from a delayed urticarial or serum-sickness type of reaction. Most of them occurred in physicians' offices after penicillin injections administered for other than life-saving purposes.A more restrictive evaluation of the indications for penicillin therapy might be expected to decrease the number of serious reactions by reducing the number of persons who are exposed to the drug. . . .