What is the difference between a medication intolerance and an allergy?

Answer by  patti (29325)

Intolerance means that the body does not do well with a medication. Intolerance can lead to an allergic response if the medication is continued, which can be fatal.

Answer by  ilostmoney (88)

Both represents insensitivity. Intolerance is just a discomfort or illness and does not involve immune system, but allergy is due to the action of one's immune system against a drug.

Answer by  YellowCup (1650)

Most medications can cause side effects, some mild and some severe. An allergy is different and more serious, your immune system released a histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream to thwart off what it thinks is a culprit.

Answer by  EmmaKitty (236)

Intolerance is an adverse reaction caused by the medication's effect on the body. A drug allergy occurs when the immune system over-reacts to the medication. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergy.