A new publication authored by team of authors including RID Program investigator Dr. Chelsea Elwood was recently published in the Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy! This publication, entitled “Safety of Cefazolin in Pregnant Patients with Documented Penicillin Allergy: A Retrospective Cohort Study“, describes results on the safety and allergenicity of cefazolin when given to pregnant women and people who have previously reported penicillin allergies. The study included all pregnant patients at BC Women’s Hospital (BCWH) in Vancouver, BC who had a reported penicillin allergy at the time of being given cefazolin as part of their care between January 2016-August 2021. Of the 179 total pregnant women and people included in the study, 97.8% (175) had no adverse effects from the cefazolin. 4 patients (2.2%) did have allergic adverse effects from the cefazolin, but the effects reported were immunoglobulin E (IgE)–mediated hives or non–IgE-mediated rashes, and these patients were discharged from the study hospital with no ongoing health issues from the reactions. No anaphylaxis events were recorded across all patients in the study, and all patients who had previously reported anaphylaxis due to cefazolin did not experience any adverse allergic effects to the cefazolin during the study. Overall, the results show that cefazolin administration in pregnant women and people with reported penicillin allergies was generally safe, and that the risk of anaphylaxis from cefazolin in this population is very low. This research helps to inform clinicians about which medications are best to use for pregnant women and people with previous penicillin allergies, and also helps to show the importance of penicillin allergy delabelling in pregnancy, which Dr. Elwood has been instrumental in coordinating at BCWH.
For more information, click here to access the publication!