Allergic Reaction or Not? Ibuprofen

[Christine]

So, for the past two months I've had something odd happen to me. It doesn't happen EVERY time but sometimes.

I take Ibuprofen fairly regularly. It is very useful during my "monthly visitor" and I will use it 3 days out of the week then. I also use it sporadically when my back hurts or I get a headache.

Back in November, I remember taking a dose and then laying on the couch (headache). About an hour after I took it, I noticed that I had an almost dime-sized welt/hive in the middle of my chest. It was a bit itchy and a little red. Within an hour, it was gone. I didn't think much of it at the time. A week or so later, the same thing happened. A welt in the exact same spot. I had also taken a Motrin an hour before. BUT....the kicker is that I took Motrin before that with no reaction. This happens about 3 times.

In December I take Motrin off and on with no issues. I even take it last week for several days in a row during my period. Nothing.

A week goes by and don't take Motrin. Then I took some Friday. About an hour after I take it, I get the welt in the middle of my chest. I have not had the welt in a few weeks. It went away in an hour again.

Today, I take two Motrin. This time I am monitoring my chest. Nothing. Then my back started itching. I pull my shirt up and I've got the single welt on my back. Looks just like the one on my chest. This one also disappears in an hour.

I'm inclined to believe that this is some allergic reaction. I'm just so confused because there are times I've taken Motrin and NOTHING has happened. Then there it will be. I get no other symptoms with it. It is also not typical of the usual allergic reactions I get to medications.

I do get a lot of itchy bumps on my chest and back at other times but they are not like the single "welt" I get after the Motrin. And the welt never comes without the Motrin.

I'd hate to think I have to stop using the stuff. It is like my little miracle pill.

Anyone have this type of experience?

 

[Blondie]

My allergic reaction to Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) started as a single hive in the middle of my upper lip!

I tried it again, same reaction only my upper AND lower lip became swollen.

I was told by my doctor to stay away from it, that the reaction gets worse and next time I could end up with my throat closing up!

If I were you, I wouldn't chance it. Stick with Tylenol or something else.

Edited to add: I get the same reaction when I take any of the NSAIDS; Toradol, Naprosyn, Aspirin, Fiorinol, etc. The only thing that doesn't bother me are the narcotic pain relievers!

 

[C.Ann]

I'm allergic to ibuprofen - but I don't get hives.. I get SEVERE intestinal cramps - so bad that I curl up in a fetal position and just cry.. Not a common allergic reaction, but then none of my allergice reactions tend to go by the "book"..

So for me it's Aleeve or Tylenol-based products and nothing else..

I'd run it by your doctor - maybe he/she will have some ideas..

 

[drag n' fly]

So, for the past two months I've had something odd happen to me. It doesn't happen EVERY time but sometimes.

I take Ibuprofen fairly regularly. It is very useful during my "monthly visitor" and I will use it 3 days out of the week then. I also use it sporadically when my back hurts or I get a headache.

Back in November, I remember taking a dose and then laying on the couch (headache). About an hour after I took it, I noticed that I had an almost dime-sized welt/hive in the middle of my chest. It was a bit itchy and a little red. Within an hour, it was gone. I didn't think much of it at the time. A week or so later, the same thing happened. A welt in the exact same spot. I had also taken a Motrin an hour before. BUT....the kicker is that I took Motrin before that with no reaction. This happens about 3 times.

In December I take Motrin off and on with no issues. I even take it last week for several days in a row during my period. Nothing.

A week goes by and don't take Motrin. Then I took some Friday. About an hour after I take it, I get the welt in the middle of my chest. I have not had the welt in a few weeks. It went away in an hour again.

Today, I take two Motrin. This time I am monitoring my chest. Nothing. Then my back started itching. I pull my shirt up and I've got the single welt on my back. Looks just like the one on my chest. This one also disappears in an hour.

I'm inclined to believe that this is some allergic reaction. I'm just so confused because there are times I've taken Motrin and NOTHING has happened. Then there it will be. I get no other symptoms with it. It is also not typical of the usual allergic reactions I get to medications.

I do get a lot of itchy bumps on my chest and back at other times but they are not like the single "welt" I get after the Motrin. And the welt never comes without the Motrin.

I'd hate to think I have to stop using the stuff. It is like my little miracle pill.

Anyone have this type of experience?

YES..it does. Both of my sons have such severe allergies to ibuprofen that it is anaphylactic and they must be rushed to ER if given it. If you are reacting even one bump you should switch to tylenol. The next dose could make you really unwell. It also means you are aspirin sensitive. HTH

 

[Christine]

Great!!

I'm 43 years old and have been taking this stuff for YEARS!!! In fact, nothing works that well for me but ibuprofen.

I just happen to have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday so I guess I'll mention it to him.

 

[CEDmom]

OMG, Christine I had the same thing happen when my dr told me I could take 4 at once. It was horrible. My poor DH had to go out in the middle of the night for benedryl because I couldn't stand it. Once the advil wore off it went away. I'm not allergic to anything so it was especially odd. Hope you feel better soon.

BTW, I don't have any problem when I take my normal 2 pills just when I took 4 that one time.

 

[Christine]

OMG, Christine I had the same thing happen when my dr told me I could take 4 at once. It was horrible. My poor DH had to go out in the middle of the night for benedryl because I couldn't stand it. Once the advil wore off it went away. I'm not allergic to anything so it was especially odd. Hope you feel better soon.

Did you just get the "one" hive. I just get ONE!! It is not even all that terribly itchy and it goes away in about an hour. It is so weird.

 

[CEDmom]

Did you just get the "one" hive. I just get ONE!! It is not even all that terribly itchy and it goes away in about an hour. It is so weird.

No, I broke out in big welts all over but mostly on my legs. It was really itchy. I was on other medication at the time so I don't know if it was bad interaction or what.

 

[disney4us2002]

I've never heard of an allergy that comes and goes, lol. Perhaps it's the ibuprofen and something else that's in your system. Do you remember what else you might've eaten around the same time that could be interacting with the advil?

I love advil and won't even bother with anything else. I could give my dog Tylenol and get as much relief if I'd taken it myself.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Are the pills you're talking all from the same bottle? Or do you have a bottle at work, one up stairs, one in the kitche. Are they all the same brands? It could be the "fillers" and not the meds and different comapanies can use different fillers. Just a thought.

 

[Christine]

I've never heard of an allergy that comes and goes, lol. Perhaps it's the ibuprofen and something else that's in your system. Do you remember what else you might've eaten around the same time that could be interacting with the advil?

I love advil and won't even bother with anything else. I could give my dog Tylenol and get as much relief if I'd taken it myself.

I thought this was weird too. More times that not I *don't* get a hive or welt. I've tried to think about everything I've eaten or drank around the same time and I can't find any patterns.

I just don't know what to do because, I know if it is an allergy it is dangerous for me to continue to take it. But the darn stuff works so well. Especially for cramps and bleeding. It is a godsend for me. Tylenol does nothing.

 

[Christine]

Are the pills you're talking all from the same bottle? Or do you have a bottle at work, one up stairs, one in the kitche. Are they all the same brands? It could be the "fillers" and not the meds and different comapanies can use different fillers. Just a thought.

The first time the hive happened I was at the bottom of a fairly large jar of Berkley and Jensen (BJ's brand) ibuprofen. I went out and bought some Target Brand Ibuprofen. I know that they could still be identical with the fillers and stuff but, so far, I've gotten the hive/welt with the new bottle too.

 

[DebbieB]

Have you tried Aleve (Naproxen)? It works wonders for me for cramps.

 

[minkydog]

Great!!

I'm 43 years old and have been taking this stuff for YEARS!!! In fact, nothing works that well for me but ibuprofen.

I just happen to have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday so I guess I'll mention it to him.

I feel your pain, Christine. I have taken ibuprophen for years for migraine and it's darn-near a miracle drug for me. That is,until about 18 months ago when I took some and nearly stopped breathing. Within 2 minutes of ingestion I knew Iwas in trouble. I was red from head to toe and felt like I had been doused with gas and set on fire. My head was pounding, myheart was pounding, my guts opened up and I thought I was gonna faint. and then I started wheezing. Holy Anaphylaxis, Batman!

Now I take tylenol and only tylenol. I'm too afraid to try any NSAIDS. my ortho tried me on Ultram--nope, severe migraine withweakness and vomiting within 30 min of ingestion. I carry an epipen nowadays.

 

[Blondie]

Ultram is one nasty drug. Some people have terrific relief with it, but I get the same result as you do, pounding migraine and vomiting combined with dizziness about a half hour after ingestion. After it wears off, I have a strange hangover after effect.

Give me the good old fashioned narcotics anyday!

 

[amarberry]

My DH is allergic to ibuproen and his reactions were sort of similar to yours in the sense that it didn't happen every time he took ibuprofen. His hands would swell up though. The thing about allergies is that sometimes you can be exposed to the allergen for years before you have a reaction. He was in his 30's before this happened. Like someone else mentioned, if you are allergic to ibuprofen, you should also avoid asprin. I'm not sure, but aren't a lot of the NSAID's related to ibuprofen as well?

 

[Christine]

My DH is allergic to ibuproen and his reactions were sort of similar to yours in the sense that it didn't happen every time he took ibuprofen. His hands would swell up though. The thing about allergies is that sometimes you can be exposed to the allergen for years before you have a reaction. He was in his 30's before this happened. Like someone else mentioned, if you are allergic to ibuprofen, you should also avoid asprin. I'm not sure, but aren't a lot of the NSAID's related to ibuprofen as well?

Yes, they are all related. However, my co-worker is severely allergic to Ibuprofen (anaphalaxis, emergency room, the whole bit) but has no problem with Aleve. I have taken Aleve before but, oddly enough, it made me very sleepy. My best friend says she has the same problem with it.

I'm about 95% sure I'm developing/ed some sort of allergy to this but I'd like to know for certain. I wonder if they can test for it? I am seeing my doctor tomorrow but I'm sure I'm just going to get the "hmmmmm...." accompanied by the shoulder shrug from him.

My biggest concern is my period. For 1-2 days during my period I really *need* that Motrin/Advil. I get some tough cramps and I'm afraid that without it I may have to take off work. As far as I can remember, Tylenol doesn't touch that.

 

[Christine]

Went to the doctor yesterday and mentioned my "new little problem." He agreed that is was probably some type of allergic reaction; however, did feel that it wasn't "classic."

His instructions to me were to take the "sister" drug, Naproxen (Aleve) and see if I had a reaction to that. If not, use that for whenever I need an NSAID. Then in a few month, try taking 200 mg. of ibuprofen to see if I got any "hives."

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Mu husband has the same reaction, but his is a single hive under his eye. It only happens with some forms of ibuprofen - the coated ones seem to do it the most, nothing with the gelcaps. The doctor thought it is some kind of reaction to the coating.

Jen

 

[Christine]

Mu husband has the same reaction, but his is a single hive under his eye. It only happens with some forms of ibuprofen - the coated ones seem to do it the most, nothing with the gelcaps. The doctor thought it is some kind of reaction to the coating.

Jen

Well, that is an interesting thought. This reaction has occurred on two different "generics". One was from BJs and was an orange tablet. The second batch is from Target and is a brown tablet. I don't consider that it is coated, but just not sure.

Does your husband get the welt every time?