UnknownNot Applicable

Amoxicillin Challenge for Penicillin Allergy Diagnosis

Canada1,000 participantsStarted 2018-11-20

Plain-language summary

False diagnosis of penicillin allergy are frequently reported, and have been proven detrimental to patients. Current guidelines for the assessment of drug allergies recommend that penicillin allergy be evaluated first with prick and intradermal skin tests, and then completed with a graded oral challenge, spread over at least two doses. However, it has been shown that these skin tests, in addition to consuming resources and time, are of limited, or even doubtful validity, given the poor predictive values that have been reported in the modern penicillins era. It now seems unreasonable to continue their use without addressing other, more efficient diagnostic stategies. Several groups have now demonstrated the safety, validity, and efficiency of a direct, two-step amoxicillin oral challenge (starting with 10% of the standard therapeutic dose, followed by 90 % of the dose), without prior skin tests, first for any type of reaction in the pediatric population, then for any non-immediate reaction in the adult population. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the safety, efficiency, and validity of direct, two-step graded oral challenge with amoxicillin for the evaluation of any reported penicillin allergy in the adult population, excluding high-risk patients (documented anaphylaxis to a penicillin in the last 5 years). Skin tests will first be performed according to the protocol currently in use at the CHUL, then consented patients will proceed with the graded oral challenge still according to the protocol currently in use at the CHUL, but regardless of the skin tests results. The results of the two tests will be compared to determine the safety, efficiency and validity of proceeding directly to the graded oral challenge.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Being 18 years of age or older at the time of the test * Being referred by a health professional for the evaluation of any allergic reaction to a penicillin, including natural penicillins, anti-staphylococcal penicillins, aminopenicillins, penicillins combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor, and carboxypenicillins ; or an antibiotic of the beta-lactam family, whose assessment requires testing for penicillins, according to the treating allergist Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Poorly controlled asthma, chronic lung disease or heart disease * Failure to stop beta-blockers prior to the test * Occurrence of the reaction in the 4 weeks preceding the test (possibility of false negatives) * History of severe delayed hypersensitivity reaction, reaction requiring hospitalization of more than 24 hours, or bullous, pustular, exfoliative or mucosal reaction (excluding angioedema) * Recent anaphylaxis (\<5 years), defined as concomitant involvement of at least two systems (respiratory, digestive, mucocutaneous or cardiovascular) within one hour of administration of the drug

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Type 1 Hypersensitivity Reaction

Timeframe: 60 minutes

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03757052

SponsorCHU de Quebec-Universite Laval

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2020-04

Contact for this trial

Jean-Philippe Drolet, MD FRCPC

418-525-4444 jean-philippe.drolet@chudequebec.ca

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Penicillin Allergy trials