What should be done when a patient with a penicillin allergy needs antibiotic treatment?

When treating a patient with a known penicillin allergy, selecting a different class of antibiotics is the appropriate course of action. This decision is based on the risk of an allergic reaction, which can range from mild symptoms to severe anaphylaxis.

Using an alternative antibiotic that belongs to a different class helps to ensure the safety of the patient while still providing effective treatment for their condition. For instance, if a patient requires antibiotics to treat an infection, a healthcare provider might opt for a cephalosporin (if there's no cross-reactivity) or other non-beta-lactam antibiotics such as macrolides, tetracyclines, or fluoroquinolones, depending on the infection type and sensitivity patterns.

Other options are less safe or inappropriate. Prescribing a higher dose of penicillin or continuing with penicillin despite having a known allergy would pose significant risks to the patient. Ignoring the allergy history entirely risks exposing the patient to potentially life-threatening reactions. Therefore, carefully considering the allergy and opting for a different class of antibiotics is the best practice.