Drug allergy?
Moderator: talkhealth
Drug allergy?
Hi,
I had an infection in a wound a couple of years ago and ended up on antibiotics for 30 days.During that time I got tendonitis in my hips.I was was put on anti-inflammatories and steriods and it got worse.Things started to improve when I got off all the meds.I suspected I was allergic to the antibiotic-a fluoroquinolone. I have seen been on anti-inflammatories with steroids and antibiotics seperately since then without problems.
At the moment I am am on all three again and my face has come out in a red rash,I have a rash on my wrist,my chest feels heavy and wheezy and my hips are sore.Is this combination of medications causing this?.Thanks for your help.
I had an infection in a wound a couple of years ago and ended up on antibiotics for 30 days.During that time I got tendonitis in my hips.I was was put on anti-inflammatories and steriods and it got worse.Things started to improve when I got off all the meds.I suspected I was allergic to the antibiotic-a fluoroquinolone. I have seen been on anti-inflammatories with steroids and antibiotics seperately since then without problems.
At the moment I am am on all three again and my face has come out in a red rash,I have a rash on my wrist,my chest feels heavy and wheezy and my hips are sore.Is this combination of medications causing this?.Thanks for your help.
-
Dr Joanna Lukawska
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 11:56 am
Re: Drug allergy?
Hi Jenny
It is very difficult to assess what is causing your symptoms at the moment without seeing you, however I shall try my best.
It would be helpful to have some more information regarding your present symptoms.
Why are you taking steroids, anti inflammatory drugs and antibiotics at the moment?
Which anti inflammatory drugs are you taking?
Which antibiotic are you using? Is it Fluoroquinolone again?
How soon into the course has your skin rash developed? Have you ever had a skin rash like this before?
Is the rash itchy? Is it associated with any localized swellings (eyelids, lips etc)?
It is possible that the symptoms you describe are related to drug allergy, antibiotic most likely, but anti inflammatory also a possibility.
You should be reviewed by the doctor who started the above treatment, failing that the GP. They will assess your skin rash and your general condition and it is very likely that the antibiotic will be stopped and replaced with another (biochemically unrelated compound). If you have already stopped any of your treatments by yourself you still need to be seen asap as your underlying condition (the reason you were prescribed the antibiotics etc I guess infection) may require longer therapy.
If you require frequent courses of antibiotics/anti-inflammatory drugs and there is uncertainty as to which drug you may be allergic to, you should be referred to a Drug Allergy Clinic in a tertiary referral centre where drug allergy testing will be performed.
Finally, it is unlikely to be a combination of drugs, but either exacerbation of the underlying problem, new problem or allergic reaction to a specific drug.
In summary: please see your doctors, who are very likely to switch your treatment to another type of antibiotic, and will also review your anti-inflammatory medications. Consider Drug Allergy Clinic referral by your GP.
It is very difficult to assess what is causing your symptoms at the moment without seeing you, however I shall try my best.
It would be helpful to have some more information regarding your present symptoms.
Why are you taking steroids, anti inflammatory drugs and antibiotics at the moment?
Which anti inflammatory drugs are you taking?
Which antibiotic are you using? Is it Fluoroquinolone again?
How soon into the course has your skin rash developed? Have you ever had a skin rash like this before?
Is the rash itchy? Is it associated with any localized swellings (eyelids, lips etc)?
It is possible that the symptoms you describe are related to drug allergy, antibiotic most likely, but anti inflammatory also a possibility.
You should be reviewed by the doctor who started the above treatment, failing that the GP. They will assess your skin rash and your general condition and it is very likely that the antibiotic will be stopped and replaced with another (biochemically unrelated compound). If you have already stopped any of your treatments by yourself you still need to be seen asap as your underlying condition (the reason you were prescribed the antibiotics etc I guess infection) may require longer therapy.
If you require frequent courses of antibiotics/anti-inflammatory drugs and there is uncertainty as to which drug you may be allergic to, you should be referred to a Drug Allergy Clinic in a tertiary referral centre where drug allergy testing will be performed.
Finally, it is unlikely to be a combination of drugs, but either exacerbation of the underlying problem, new problem or allergic reaction to a specific drug.
In summary: please see your doctors, who are very likely to switch your treatment to another type of antibiotic, and will also review your anti-inflammatory medications. Consider Drug Allergy Clinic referral by your GP.
Dr Joanna Lukawska
Clinical Research Fellow & Specialist Registrar in Allergy
Clinical Research Fellow & Specialist Registrar in Allergy
Re: Drug allergy?
Hi Dr Luwkawska,
Thanks so much for your reply.I was put on a low dose antibiotic for three months to help prevent UTI's-nitrofurantoin.I was on these for six days with noproblems when I was put on the steroid and anti-inflammatory (diclofenac sodium)for joint pain that is not improving.
Within two days I felt of beginning these I had developed a bright red rash on my arm and face which was itchy. That night I also felt very wheezy.My hip joints feel tender along with some other joints.
I stopped the steroid first,then the anti-inflammatory.
Now two days clear of them but still feeling not quite right.Joints a bit achy,like a flu,have a itchy red rash on my leg today so I am guessing it is the antibiotic.
Thanks so much for your reply.I was put on a low dose antibiotic for three months to help prevent UTI's-nitrofurantoin.I was on these for six days with noproblems when I was put on the steroid and anti-inflammatory (diclofenac sodium)for joint pain that is not improving.
Within two days I felt of beginning these I had developed a bright red rash on my arm and face which was itchy. That night I also felt very wheezy.My hip joints feel tender along with some other joints.
I stopped the steroid first,then the anti-inflammatory.
Now two days clear of them but still feeling not quite right.Joints a bit achy,like a flu,have a itchy red rash on my leg today so I am guessing it is the antibiotic.
-
Dr Joanna Lukawska
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 11:56 am
Re: Drug allergy?
Dear Jenny
It is possible that your skin rash has been triggered by Nitrofurantoin.
There are several other antibiotics that can be used for UTI prophylaxis and your GP will be able to switch you to one of those.
It is also possible that you have developed spontaneous urticaria (20% of us will develop it at some stage in our lifetime). It tends to flare up when we are stressed or unwell. (Don't worry it is completely benign and will clear up of its own accord, but antihistamines such as Cetirizine can help)
I think a sensible thing to do would be to stop Nitrofurantoin and introduce a different antibiotic.(it would be best to have a short wash out period between the 2 antibiotics if at all possible) If the rash clears up you will know that the antibiotic was the most likely culprit, you should then avoid Nitrofurantoin for life.
If in doubt get your GP to refer you to Drug Allergy Clinic.
All the best, Joanna
It is possible that your skin rash has been triggered by Nitrofurantoin.
There are several other antibiotics that can be used for UTI prophylaxis and your GP will be able to switch you to one of those.
It is also possible that you have developed spontaneous urticaria (20% of us will develop it at some stage in our lifetime). It tends to flare up when we are stressed or unwell. (Don't worry it is completely benign and will clear up of its own accord, but antihistamines such as Cetirizine can help)
I think a sensible thing to do would be to stop Nitrofurantoin and introduce a different antibiotic.(it would be best to have a short wash out period between the 2 antibiotics if at all possible) If the rash clears up you will know that the antibiotic was the most likely culprit, you should then avoid Nitrofurantoin for life.
If in doubt get your GP to refer you to Drug Allergy Clinic.
All the best, Joanna
Dr Joanna Lukawska
Clinical Research Fellow & Specialist Registrar in Allergy
Clinical Research Fellow & Specialist Registrar in Allergy
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