Drug used in Peradeniya hospital causes allergic reaction to another patient

• Patient dead
• Doctors suspect whether allergic reaction could have been a contributing effect to the death  
• Cause of death yet to be ascertained  

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

A 57-year-old man has died after he developed an allergic reaction at the Teaching Hospital Kegalle following the administration of the antibiotic used in the Peradeniya hospital resulting in the death of the 21-year-old girl.  

Speaking to Daily Mirror, hospital director Dr. Mihiri Priyangani said the person was admitted to the hospital due to an abdominal distension and fever on July 10 where he had been administered with the doses of the antibiotic, Ceftriaxone 14 times.  
“However, he had developed an allergic reaction on July 17 due to the antibiotic. Although he recovered from the reaction, he was transferred to the ICU as he was suffering from other chronic diseases. The patient died on the following day (18),” Dr Priyangani said.  

“Since the patient was suffering from other chronic diseases, the cause of death can’t be directly attributed to the allergic reaction. Nevertheless, the doctors are of the suspicion that the allergic reaction could have been a contributing effect to the death,” she added.  Therefore, investigations are underway to ascertain the cause of death.  

Meanwhile, the Hospital Director said the Hospital received a total of 7,000 vials of the particular antibiotic. Of the tally, 5,000 have been used while the remaining stock has been withheld.  

Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena told a news briefing that the allergic reaction developed by the particular patient in Kegalle Hospital was not the allergic reaction developed by the 21-year-old girl who died at the Peradeniya hospital.  

“The allergic reaction developed by the 21-year-old was the anaphylactic shock, which is rare but severe, 
“ he added.