Researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported that over 140,000 Americans go to the emergency room every year for side effects from taking antibiotics.

This government study was the first-ever report on adverse reactions to antibiotics in the United States. Using information collected from 63 US hospitals between 2004 and 2006, the researchers used formulas to estimate that 142,000 emergency room visits are made each year for antibiotic-related side effects. This accounts for 19.3% of all emergency department visits for drug-related reactions. Almost 80% of the antibiotic reactions were related to allergies, ranging from rash to anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening whole-body allergic reaction. The remaining reactions were caused by errors or overdoses.

According to Dr. Daniel Budnitz, the lead investigator of the study, these findings are an important reminder for both doctors and patients that antibiotics can have serious side effects and should only be taken when absolutely necessary. Given the high number of errors and overdoses, doctors should be careful in dispensing antibiotic prescriptions and patients should be careful to take their antibiotics exactly as recommended.