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What does a negative test result mean?
A negative test result means you are not allergic to penicillin. During the test, you were given a type of penicillin antibiotic while medical staff closely monitored how your body responded. You experienced no major problems and showed no signs of an allergic reaction, so your doctor has confirmed that you are not allergic to penicillin.
Is it safe for me to take penicillin now?
Yes, it is safe for you to take penicillin now.
Your negative test result means you can safely take antibiotics from the penicillin group. These include commonly prescribed medicines such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, co-amoxiclav (Augmentin), flucloxacillin, penicillin V, and many others.
This test was developed by allergy specialists for the NHS, following the latest clinical guidelines. While a negative result doesn’t guarantee that you’ll never have an allergic reaction in the future, the risk is very low – similar to that of someone who has never had a reaction before.
If you do experience any symptoms when taking penicillin in the future, speak to your doctor. They’ll be able to advise you on what to do next.
What happens next?
We will send your GP a letter describing the test you had and that you had a negative result. We will ask them to update your GP record and remove the penicillin allergy label.
- Keep your results letter safe.
- Ask your GP the next time you see them if your records have been updated.
- Tell your family that you are no longer allergic. If you ever need hospital treatment, they can tell staff you are not allergic.
What should I do if I develop new symptoms after the test has finished?
If you notice any new symptoms after your test – such as a rash, itching, swelling, breathing difficulties, or anything else that feels severe or worrying:
- Seek medical advice straight away
- You can contact the hospital doctor who carried out your test, your GP, NHS 111, or go to A&E if your symptoms are serious.
- It’s also important to let your GP know about any new symptoms so your medical records can be updated accordingly.
What should I do if I develop new symptoms after the test has finished?
If you develop an infection, your GP or hospital doctor will assess whether you need antibiotics. If antibiotics are required, you can let them know that you’ve been tested for penicillin allergy and are no longer allergic.
Your doctor will then prescribe the most appropriate antibiotic for your condition. If that happens to be penicillin, it is safe for you to take.
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