Abstract
A 22-year-old man, who experienced anaphylactic shock during an orthopedic operation, was referred to our hospital for allergic tests. He also had histories of allergic rhinitis due to pollen, metal allergy, and unconfortable feelings when he ate some kinds of fruit. Intradermal reaction tests revealed a positive reaction to the generic version of cefazolin sodium, but not the original drug. Both drugs have the same main ingredient without any additive, but both of them have possible impurities derived from their manufacturing process, suggesting that the impurities contaminating only the generic drug may cause an anaphylactic reaction in our present case. Today, to reduce medical expenses, generic drugs is tend to be recommended. We should pay attention not only to the costs but also to the safety information about the drugs when we prescribe them to patients.
