Allergic to penicillin symptoms and conditions

Was prescribed Cipro for a diverticulitis infection. Took the first dose right before bed and had immediate vertigo (could tell when I turned over in bed that my balance was off), slept and woke up remembering unusual vivid dreams. Had vertigo bad enough to call out sick. The vertigo continued so I called my doctor had asked to be switched and was given Levaquin. Didn't like the known side-effects of that either. Legs felt like tree stumps but that went away. Took Levaquin 2x without anything overt happening and infections cleared up. Recently had the same infection, once again prescribed. Skin started to have a burning, tingling sensation about 3-4 hours after taking. Woke up with hives on right arms and swollen tingling/burning lips with rather slight tingling/burning sensations off and on on face and body. I am allergic to penicillin, developing an allergy mid-way through a dose (having taken in before without any problems) where I broke out in itchy bumps all over my body, including the undersides of my hands and feet. This happened when I was around 9 or 10 years old. So even if a med is safe once you can still develop symptoms later. I have a call into my doctor, have no idea what they will prescribe next. I get bronchitis a lot and they usually given me the 3 days dosage of antibiotic, which *never* works and they they put me on a 10 days. Not as powerful but that might work. This bought of diver doesn't seem as bad as the past and already my gut feels better. I hate these meds but what can you do when you have a nasty bacterial infection that could kill you?

Just took the first dose of the Z-pack (the two pills) on a full stomach and I feel like I'm going to die. I've been through the pain of childbirth and this can almost compare...the stomach cramping is severe and the diarrhea is immediate (you know, the "peeing your poop" kind of thing). When the cramping began, I got cold sweats...I'm still up, unable to sleep, because the stomach pains are SO bad. I know you're supposed to keep taking the pack but I am so ill I can't even imagine doing so right now. I had a similar reaction to Z-pack in 2004 but thought it was because I took a dose on an empty stomach. This confirms that it can happen anytime.

I'm taking the Z-pack to get rid of a sore throat. This is terrible. I'm almost in tears. :( I wish I could just throw up but my throat hurts too bad. I'm allergic to penicillin, so this was what the doctor prescribed. :(

I started taking this medicine for a UTI I'm allergic to penicillin and I see that this is in this medicine, that's real great. Well the first night I took it, I was so tired all I wanted to do is sleep, I had the worst headache ever which made me moody and my neck and back just ached. On the second day I woke up and it felt like needles going through my feet they were swollen and itchy and red, i knew right then to quit taking the medicine and yet it spread to my hands and it was the same thing! Still have had a headache 24/7 since i started the medicine. It doesn't help! Look at all the other reviews! Don't take this medicine you take medicine to help you not make more problems!

I will never take this medicine again!

My son Emmett was put on Omnicef for pneumonia and ear infection. On the second day of being on this drug he had terrible diarrhea, black and watery and he would scream every time he was pooping. He wouldn't sit and would cry if you tried to lay him down to change him-this made me think his stomach hurt pretty bad. Sometimes he would stand there and look at his stomach and just scream. On day 10 of Omnicef he had something on his stomach develop that looked like a heat rash that started off as white bumps then turned red. Two days later (2 days after the drug was all taken) the bumps became bright red and were everywhere. He also had swollen knees that were hot to the touch and wouldn't walk around. We went to the doctor and he said it was a reaction to something he ingested. He said we should give him Benadryl and just watch him. The Benadryl worked for a couple days then stopped working all together. New red spots would come back as soon as the others went away. Three days later we were headed to the ER because of swollen feet, all of his toes connected and his feet were so puffy he wouldn't stand on them, they were also hot to the touch. Luckily we saw a different doctor and he did some blood tests. It turned out he had mycoplasma infection which is also knows as walking pneumonia. He was given Zithromax and was better within 12 hours. The red spots and bumps and swollen extremities were all cleared up. I don't know if he was allergic to Omnicef because he is allergic to Penicillin or if he was just given the wrong drug for the walking pneumonia and it wasn't getting any better. It is definitely worth getting a second opinion in the same day after going through this last week.

For some of us, it's not so terrible! I was given Avelox a year and a half ago for a sinus infection because I am allergic to penicillin and its close relatives. While I would agree that it made me fee a bit peculiar--lightheaded, vaguely nauseated and just not "right" the entire time I took it, that was the extent of it. After 48 hours my sinus infection had improved noticeably and after 96 hours I felt virtually cured, as far as my sinuses went. As one must with antibiotics, I continued the full round of 7 or 10 days even though I was suffering some definite but tolerable Avelox side effects. Not finishing your prescription increases drug resistance in bacteria so I felt I should finish it.

I have another sinus infection now and started Avelox today. I am cautiously optimistic that I can tolerate the mild to moderate side effects again. I don't like the way it makes me feel, but it's better than feeling like my entire face is going to explode from the sinus pain! Given my penicillin allergy, I'm stuck with few other appropriate options.

If you are getting a rash from this medicine, that is clearly an allergic reaction--not the same thing as a side effect per se--and a sign that you should stop at once.

I am allergic to penicillin, so was prescribed this for a strep throat. I've been on it one day now. I can't keep any solid food down - both vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea, but I'm doing okay on a liquid diet.

I was prescribed Levaquin 500 mg today because of pneumonia. I was told to take 1 tablet for 10 days. I'm allergic to penicillin so my doctor prescribed Levaquin. After I took my first dose today, 15 minutes later, I started to have what I would call hallucinations . I would see all these weird colors. I was in the shower at the time and it was certainly not a pleasant experience. I also had a tingling feeling in both arms. I would almost describe the feeling of when doctors inject a dye into your vein to take a CAT scan. After a half hour of this, all went away and actually felt better throuout this afternoon. After reading other complaints on this site, I'm calling my doctor first thing in the morning because this medication sounds like trouble!

February 22nd
2009
My side effects (Charles Clark)
3:00pm

It started with diarrhea after a couple days treatment. Then my hand muscles starting to contract on there own. Then I started having high blood pressure up to 212/118 and high heart rate and anxiety beginning to set in. My wife wanted to take me to the hospital but I refused to go (I wish I had. They might have taken me off Doxy then, but no, I was still taking it). I then started having problems breathing (like something was stopping me. Not like hyperventilating). My wife called the doctor and she said to stop the Doxy and come in. At the visit, she gave me meds for high blood pressure and ordered a heart monitor and stress test as she believed my problem was more likely with my heart. I didn't start the blood pressure medications as I needed to have the tests done in a week and a half. I had a panic attack before the stress test. There was a patient there who stated her granddaughter had developed panic attacks after she had taken Doxy for Lymes disease. What a coincidence. That weekend my blood pressure and anxiety increased and my wife called the doctor. They convinced me to start the blood pressure medicine as all of this might be caused by High Blood Pressure. I returned to the doctor 4 days later and she took more blood work as well as tested for Lymes disease again. Everything was normal and NO lymes disease. So what was causing all of these problems. That night when I came home from the Doctors I started feeling like someone just sprayed me like you spray a wasp/bee. I started to shake and twitch inside like I was dying I could feel my stomach convulsing and getting cold. Now at this point I had been off Doxycycline for a few days. My wife called the doctors emergency line and they called in a prescription for Xanex. I took it and it put be out. I woke up the next day feeling like I was on a bad rollercoaster ride going over the edge and trying to climbing out of my skin. I was unable to even take care of myself at this point. I started getting muscle twitches all over my body. I could not control my thoughts and had a hard time talking; my skin was so hypersensitive to the touch or movement. The only way I could deal with it was just lay down and not move. I felt like was going to die. More symptoms came: my middle finger on my left hand went numb; I was so nauseated I had a hard time eating; depression set in with sever panic attacks/anxiety, ears ringing, slight pain in my chest like I was having a heart attack and was becoming bed ridden and afraid of everything at this point. That next week I returned to the doctor and she noted how it seemed a struggle for me to walk into the office. She felt that I should begin meds to decrease the anxiety that was paralyzing me. She suggested seeing a psychiatrist and stated that if I got worse my wife should take me to the emergency and be admitted to the mental health program. So I began to take Paxil as well (I hate medications, but I was desperate). I was terrified that I might have side affects from these meds and I couldn't be alone and I was afraid to go anywhere, afraid I would have an attack or worse, stop breathing all together. I was terrified and my family was getting very worried about me and unsure what to do. Thanks to my best friend, my wife, and my family for taking care of me. If it were not for them, I would not know what to do. My dear mom even came in from Virginia to help take care of me. I can not express my thanks enough to my family! I have been off the drug now for almost seven weeks now and all my side effects are slowly, very slowly, dissipating. How come the Doctors don't know about this? Thank GOD for this site and the ones that took the time to post there experience with this drug! THANKS EVERYONE GOD BLESS YOU!

P.S. please reply on what you did to get rid of the side effects, how long did it take for them to go away and did your Doctor believe that the Doxycycline caused them. because I can't find a Doctor that thinks the Doxycycline can have these side effects.

After taking generic Keflex for 13 days;500mg3xday; i developed a severe skin rash on legs,arms, neck,back,face,eyes,ears,and nose.Was taking med for a serious infection on top of my foot;(same foot bit by brown recluse spider in 2002).Also feel weird all over. Foot infection getting worse and DOCTOR knew i was allergic to penicillin and so did pharmacist.DON'T PLAN ON TAKING THIS MED ANYMORE!!!!! gk65.

This is my 3rd treatment of doxycycline this yr and had no side effects apart from thrush in the mouth..but this time round...omg... i cant believe how many of you are experiencing the same as me..dizzy head, nausea and breathless, and today pains in the side of my head..I don't think im going to finish this course.
Im allergic to penicillin and things so im worried theres nothing else i can take to get rid of this chest infection.
Any ideas please ????
Anything at all ????

I am a 23 year old female. Taking Clindamycin for tooth infection before having root canal. Am allergic to penicillin. I experienced stomach cramps, clay colored watery diarrhea, esophagitis, nausea and headache. Mild diarrhea also noted in 2 year old nursing toddler.

I was diagnosed with severe sinusitis a week ago, and my doctor prescribed omnicef for me since I was allergic to PENICILLIN. After the first day on Omnicef, I felt fine, perhaps a little better. As days continued to pass, however, I began to get some horrible reactions. They started out mild, and now (after taking it for the seventh day) I have major tongue and gland swelling in addition to a horrible headache and weakness. I've felt close to fainting several times throughout the past several days. I went through a random bout of depression a couple days ago, too, and there was no reason why. I feel more irritable, but I've been attempting to control it. I haven't lashed out wrongly at my loved ones yet, but I've come pretty close. I have some pain in my lower abdomen (where the intestines are located) as well, but only when I walk in a quick manner. No diarrhea, yet, but I think that's because I normally have digestion problems (constipation). Some of the joints in my hands are acting funny. They aren't as strong as usual, and they've been going numb/cold more often, causing their movements to be a little slower/stalled.

I'm seventeen, and when my mom contacted the doctor yesterday, the doctor said that "these aren't allergies/side effects" of this medication, and that I need to continue taking them. So I took them again yesterday (the seventh day), and that's when the swelling of the tongue and glands in my throat took place. When my mom called today and notified the doctor of that issue, the doctor said that..oh, how was that worded... That "it's the first time I've had this reaction" (while on this medication), and that it isn't caused by that medication but from something else. I'm sorry, but I'm not taking any other medications, and I haven't eaten anything strange/new that would cause me these difficulties. It's definitely the medication.

I'm done with this medication. After doing research on it this morning, I've learned that at least ten percent of those allergic to penicillin is also allergic to omnicef, and I'm allergic to penicillin. Why my doctor is being so stubborn about these reactions, I don't know. I guess this is just an example of a doctor who isn't well-educated and sticks ONLY to the side-effects/allergic reactions listed on the prescription bottle. If problems persist, my mom will take me to another doctor. For now, I'm going to stick to the Neti pod and nasal spray to try to rid me of my sinusitis. Maybe it'll work out alright and my problems from this medication will go away quickly. I'm sick of being sick all summer.

I have been taking keflex for 3 days for severe cellulites on my right leg that was caused by an insect bite. I am allergic to penicillin, which the doctor knows. The pharmacist did counsel me and I knew. I have developed itchy patches in a lot of places, especially my face. So far it is not bad enough that I can't handle it. I am not ready to throw in the towel yet and try something else though because I know it is supposed to be effective against what ails me. I was bit by a brown recluse spider in 1984 and as a result I am concerned about how bad a skin infection like I have can get (even though I am sure this time the insect that bit me was not a poison spider). I have a few mild other symptoms (stomach, back, tired) and I have been feeling a little blue also but I am not sure whether keflex is the cause of any of that, or if it is the bite.

I was given a shot of Rocephin and oral penicillin about 2 months ago. I have been allergic to Penicillin all my life, but my Dr decided to give it to me because I had strep throat so bad and it kept coming back. We had hoped that my allergy had miraculously gone away! With in a day, I got the worst heartburn I've ever had (and I have a hiatal hernia and esophogitis, so I'm pretty familiar with heartburn) and my shoulders were killing me. I got hives on my chest and face (no doubt from the penicillin) and my urine was bright orange. I called my Dr and told him of the symptoms and he said, must be the penicillin and put me on a z-pack. Now, another separate episode...Last week, I developed urinary tract infection symptoms and called my Dr. He gave me Bactrum and I got worse, running fever, blood in my urine, kidney pain, disorientation... etc. So I went to see the doctor and he gave me a shot of Rocephin, and oral Cipro. My urinary symptoms seemed to get better that evening and the next morning. Around 9 am I started getting a slight cramping feeling in my abdomen near my belly button. It quickly spread to my upper abdominal area and into my shoulders and upper back and the pain was so severe I was doubled over screaming like a woman giving birth to a 10 lb baby with no drugs! This pain intensified and lasted for 2 hours. My brother took me to the ER but by the time the Dr saw me, the pain had subsided. They ran blood work, and did an ultra sound and found nothing. Go figure! I even told the nurse I had been given a shot of Rocephin and that last time I had it, I had the above mentioned symptoms (orange pee...etc) While I was in the hospital, my lower back... close to my tailbone started hurting, so I figured I might have pulled something when I was having that 2 hour spaz attack. Well by that evening, I can't walk and I have pains radiating down my butt and leg. The location of where I received the shot is pretty much on fire, and sensitive to the touch. I don't know what's going on here, but I'm 100% blaming the shot of Rocephin and it makes me mad that my doctor, nor the ER doctor can put 2 and 2 together, but I have to figure it out on my own. What am I paying them for?

About eight to ten years ago i had a violent reaction to lactaid. I had taken it numerous time before with no problems and then I woke up one morning - had a bowl of cereal and a lactaid pill - within the hour I was experiencing severe stomach pain along with vomiting and diarrhea. I thought it might have been due to the fact that i had had very little to eat the day before and only a bowl of cereal that morning with the extra strength pill.

the following weekend i was brave enough to try it again with some ice cream at night (this time i had a full stomach from dinner). BIG mistake - this time it was worse - the stomach pain was out of this world (i have a high pain threshold but this had me in the fetal position) and i couldnt leave the toilet and trash can for a few hours. My girlfriend was scared and called one of those nurse hot lines. they told her to coat my stomach with some kaopectate - which seemed to help. I checked the bottle of lactaid - and the expiration date had passed - so i threw it away and swore off of lactaid pills. fortunately they came out with the lactaid milk!

Fast forward to now - never touched the stuff again. well the other day I was out of lactaid milk and my wife (yes the same girlfriend) had picked up some samples of lactaid pills at a trade show - so I guess with the passage of time - I forgot how painful and miserable the other experiences had been - so i took the pill. Nothing happened!

Last night i decide to take another one because i had a craving for ice cream (had been awhile!). I figured it was ok since i had no reaction a week ago. Well sure enough - within the hour I was on the floor in severe stomach pain - followed by vomiting and diarrhea. This time we had kaopectate in the house - so i started taking it - well i just threw it right back up.

This episode lasted about an hour and a half this time. There was a metallic taste in my mouth about the third time i vomited, and the fifth and final time, there was puddle of yellow liquid that came out at the end.

I've been taking 100MG capsules twice a day for treatment on a cyst. I'm allergic to penicillin & I haven't been on ANY medications for 4 years, so my system is very clean & not used to medicines. On the fourth day, I started experiencing vaginal itching which made the entire area swollen, sensitive, & painful. I also started having very strange mood swings, felt dehydrated, was more tired than usual, & had broken sleep with nightmares. I called my doctor to see if I could get switched to something else, but I was told to continue taking it & prescribed a cream for yeast infections. I'm on the seventh day, I've been experiencing nausea & dizziness, even though I've taken this stuff with a full meal & a huge glass of water since day one. I haven't been eating dairy or going out in the sun; I've totally been following the rules. But, I feel like a mess on this antibiotic! I've become depressed & I too feel like crying for no reason. My crotch hurts so bad that it brings me to tears too. I'm so upset that my doctor would continue to have me taking this, that I refuse to take it now. I only have 3 more days, but my whole system feels unbalanced & I can't stand to be on this anymore. My cyst is gone & the infection wasn't bad to begin with, so I don't see any reason to continue putting myself through hell. PLEASE BEWARE OF THIS ANTIBIOTIC!!

My 5 year old daughter has tolerated Omnicef will each of the 3 times she has taken it. She is allergic to penicillin. This time she was on day 9 of Omnicef when she developed some hives on her hands and trunk. By morning the hives are all over including her face, butt, waist line, feet. They are especially bad around her knees, wrists and elbows. This is causing her a lot of discomfort. She is taking Benadryl and Motrin to manage the pain.

I began taking sulfameth about 1 week ago. Everything seemed ok until one morning I woke up and my neck was completely stiff! I started getting the hot and cold feeling and a splitting headache with nausea. I took tylenol and it seemed to improve a little. That evening I woke up every ten mins, just unable to get quality sleep. Next morning I woke up (after no sleep again), COVERED in hives. I mean, from my head to my ankles, these huge, red, itchy things all over! My throat, too. You know how it feels right when you swallow?..that's how my throat felt constantly. I was completely freaked out as hubby was at work and I was home alone with my 4 kids. So we hauled booty to the clinic and sure enough, allergic reaction to the antibiotic. I'm actually allergic to penicillin as well, so the doctor I saw said she was really surprised my other doctor would have prescribed a sulfer drug to me as it has a high instance of causing allergic reactions. hhhmmm...thanks.
Anyway she said I could take benadaryl, but better yet, Claritin. She said Claritin won't make you drowsy and will knock it right out (you should take benadryl instead of claritin if you're breastfeeding though). That was yesterday, and besides some weird mottled look on my legs (leftover rash), all seems well.

I had been on doxycycline for 4 1/2 days. I was out in the sun by the pool briefly on day 2 with 45 sunsreen - no problem. On day 4 was out by the pool with 45 sunscreen and within 15 minutes I began to feel strange. My face and arms and hands felt like they were burning. I went in the pool to cool off and found that my hands felt like pins and needles, like I had put them in menthol, and that I had fine string on the tops of my hands. (I didn't. It was just that sensation). I called the doctor who didn't think I was having an allergic reaction and suggested I take my next dose as prescribed to determine whether these symptoms were actually from the doxycycline, to which I said "no thank you." I'd really rather have theses symptoms dissipate than possibly escalate. This is day 5 and the symptoms have decreased but my hands are still tingly in water even with rubber gloves on. Additionally, I am also allergic to penicillin. Is anyone else? by lmhsea

I have had to take this several times for kidney stone surgery as I am allergic to penicillin and sulfa. However, it has never been longer than a three day period with the exception of my last surgery. Because this last one was invasive I ended up being on Levaquin for about 13 days. I also noticed I could not sleep. Even with 2 Tylenol PM it took forever. I felt a "doom" like feeling, heavy chest and most of all my legs and hips were so sore, it was difficult to walk, sleep, even sit or stretch. I have been off now for only two days and am feeling better but with everyone complaining of the same thing... there must be something to it.

I am on my 7th day of 500mg/once a day clarithromycin, prescribed to me for a sinus infection. On the third day, I read all of the below comments and had a mild panic attack fueled by paranoia. Once I came back to reality, and in touch with my body, I realized which, in fact, of the common side effects I have been experiencing. The most notable is sleeplessnes. I have been having very intense dreams which have been waking me up every 30 to 45 minutes; upon waking my mind is charged and rearing to go. This side effect was attended to by a prescription of Ambien, made to me for this specific incidence. The Ambien has helped, I am now getting a solid 5 hours of sleep, still intense dreams, but sleep. For someone who typically requires 8 -10 hours a night, I find this 5 hour deal amusing. I don't feel particularly tired as a result, although I admit it has only been a week - it could catch up with me. This brings me to the other most obvious side effect, which I can only describe as mania - ready to go go go, constantly up, alert, ambitious (for what, I am not sure). Again, for a groggy girl like me these are actually welcome side effects! Other than that, I am experiencing a small amount of gas, and a slight spacieness (lack of sleep? or just an effect?). For these I have found lots of yougurt, fresh foods, and fluids, all in small servings and at regular intervals, ie: every 1 1/2 - 2 hours, to be allievating. My infection seems to have cleared up, I have a small amount of clear drainage in the morning, no more facial tenderness, headaches, and obviously my sense of fatigue is gone. All in all, I must say I would take this antibiotic again, which is not how I usually feel after most antibiotics I have, as an adult, taken.

I received a drip of levaquin in a hospital ER for a infected dog bite. I was given a prescription after that and took 1 dose of 750 mg for four days. On the fourth day I was doing some minor physical work and started experiencing what felt like cramps in my calfs. It got worse after a few hours and started to spread slightly into the hamstring area. I went directly to my Dr. who said he didn't think it was a reaction from the drug even though muscle pain and sudden pain in the legs is listed as an adverse reaction. He gave me a muscle relaxer (Skelaxin).
I am taking Tramadol (Ultram) for back pain and knew that some muscle relaxers, such as cyclobenzaprine, can cause fatal respritory failure. I had to mention this and have them check to make sure there would be no adverse reaction from mixing the drugs. This is the office that prescribed the Tramadol.
I was told to discontinue the Levaquin and given a prescription for Cephalaxin. When I got home from the pharmacy and read the printout in the package I find that the drug should not be taken by anyone who has had allergic reaction to penicillin type drugs. I am highly allergic to penicillin which is in my medical records at the doctor's office.
UNBELIEVABLE !!

I was just given 750 mg 5 day pack of Levaquin over a week ago for acute bacterial sinusitis. I have have never taken this antibiotic before and since I am allergic to penicillin, the Dr. (who I have never met before) felt that it was a good option. Let me say that I am a physically fit woman with 3 small children and exercise everyday. I fortunately enjoy good health and rarely complain about anything.
Once I began taking this medication, I could barely function. The fatigue was incredible and I suffered from dizziness. The Dr. failed to tell me to stay out of the sun, and as a result I have blisters all over my legs due to the photosensitivity from the drug. I also had neck and jaw pain and still have knee pain. I do feel much better know, but still suffer from slight dizziness and fatigue. I would never take this medication again, and I hope that there will be no long term effects from such a short period of time. By the way, my Primary care physician who was not available the day I needed the antibiotics saw me for a follow up last week and told me that I am entirely too tiny for this drug, and it is generally prescribed to grown men. She also felt that all of my aches and pains were from a direct result of the Levaquin.

I had no idea an antibiotic could cause such side effects until I visited this site. I have taken Levaquin twice in the past 2 months for chronic sinusitis. First time for 10 days (250 mg) and then couple of weeks later for 21 days (500 mg). I don't think it is gone yet. I complained to my husband of extreme joint pain, pain in my ankles and extreme fatigue. He said I bet it is that antibiotic you are taking and I just kind of brushed him off. However, when I mentioned it to a friend who has had many sinus problems she said I better check it out on the Internet. Sure enough I see others who have had similar problems. I work nights so I do have different sleep patterns but have never been one to require a lot of sleep but lately I can't seem to get enough sleep. I have not taken it for about 5 to8 days and wonder when my symptoms will start to go away.

I, too, am allergic to penicillin and sulfa so have tried many different antibiotics but never had a reaction like this. It is horrible to have this much pain. I will definitely be telling my doctor about my reaction to this antibiotic. I, too, was never given any warning about the possible reactions to this but was told not to take it with other products like calcium. My patient advisory leaflet did mention to advise my doctor if I had tendon, joint or muscle pain but I didn't make the connection of this type pain. Guess I should have been smarter.

I had been on Zoloft three years ago for anxiety/panic attacks
I must say that it had helped me tremendously. For three years, until a major stress triggered my anxiety again, I was doing quite well. Let me just say this, as with any medication, whether it be OTC Tylenol, Advil, Fleet enemas, etc. all medication do not agree with everyone's system. We have people who are allergic to Penicillin, but does that mean we ban it or take it off the market...NO, we find something that works for us. So please do not think that it's the medication you are taking, it may just be that this particular medication does not work with you or your symptoms. Try asking your doctor to switch you to another medication. Remember not all bad medications are prescriptions.