LESS cross-sensitivity between penicillins and carbapenems than most clinicians think

April 2009

There may be LESS cross-sensitivity between penicillins and carbapenems than most clinicians think.

Beta-lactams are often avoided in patients with penicillin allergies, due to concerns of cross-sensitivity. But this means these patients miss out on the benefits of several useful antibiotics.

Experts used to think that up to 47% of patients allergic to penicillin would also be allergic to carbapenems...imipenem (Primaxin), meropenem (Merrem), etc.

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