Allergic Reaction to Medication--Any remedies?

[4merlurkerchris]

I was prescribed amoxicillin for a throat infection. I was told to take 1 500 milligram capsule, 3 times a day for a total of 1500 milligrams. After taking the medication for a couple of days, I started to get severe itching on my arms, legs, feet and back. No hives or anything, just itching. I stopped taking the medicine this past Tuesday and I went to the doctor on Wednesday. He said that I must have had an allergic reaction to the medicine and to start taking benadryl. I've now taken that for about 2 days and it only feels slightly better. Has anyone ever heard of this itching reaction? Do you have any remedies for this? I hope it goes away soon!
Chris

 

[Serena]

2 days of benadryl isn't enough. In the mean time, wear only comfortable clothes if you can. No extremes in temperature since it will make it worse. Don't use anything or eat anything at all unusual for you. Use mild soaps, and be very gentle with whatever you wash with.
You're already having a reaction, that means you will be triggered easier for other things too.
Right now the meds that were in your system are still there. You've got a wait on your hands. My experience is that it usually lasts a week.

Been there, done that, a million times.

 

[adamak]

Drinks lots and lots of water. That should wash out all the 'allergents'.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Lots of fluids and be good to yourself! Yep, I suddenly became allergic to pain meds when I had my gallbladder out. I had the itching and duh, ignored it only to develop hives...then I knew.
Hey I had never had a reaction before.
I really have to watch my teeth because if I ever get a toothache, I am in trouble.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

4merlurkerchris,

I feel for you. All of the above suggestions are great and I just wanted to add a few. Serena is correct about the benadryl, 2 days usually isnt long enough. Make sure you are taking the correct dose and taking it with correct frequency. This makes a huge difference.

You can take cool baths or use cool compresses. This wont rid the histamine quicker from your body but it will make you feel better

Your Doctor should be made aware if you are not getting relief from the benadryl and can decide if a different antihistimine is needed or perhaps a topical corticosteroid. In some cases, when the above methods do not work effectively, a brief course of oral corticosteroids can be prescribed.

Hope you are feeling better very soon.

 

[4merlurkerchris]

Thanks so much for all of the suggestions! It's got to get better eventually--I hope!!!
Chris

 

[Rajah]

Yup, heard of it fairly often in my family, actually, and taking lots of benadryl (not over the recommended amount, but certainly more than 2!!) is the best you can do without going to the doctor and getting a shot/cream/etc for an emergency.

Give you an idea -- I got bitten by a fireant last Thursday. By Friday morning, I couldn't move that finger and my hand was swollen. It took about 8 benadryl and 3 days for the swelling to go back down. You're not going to get good relief in just two pills.

Please be careful with the medicine, though -- allergies to medicines isn't anything to ignore or laugh at. I've nearly lost several family members to medicine allergies in the past (all luckily survived, most because of taking benadryl and getting to a dr right away)

 

[Kermit]

I agree that you need to take the Benadryl for longer, especially with antiobiotics. They stay in your system for longer than 2 days, and you could have another reaction even though you're not taking it any more. My sister had that happen once. She had anaphalaxis (stopped breathing) as a result of taking an antibiotic. She stopped it after the first reaction, but she had another episode 2 days later, even though she had had a Cortizone shot and was taking Benadryl.

FYI...It's a good idea to keep liquid Benadryl on hand for allergic reactions. If you ever do have a reaction that causes problems breathing, the pills take too long to get into your system. If you take the liquid kind and hold it on your tongue as long as you can it will start working much faster.

 

[4merlurkerchris]

Thanks everyone. Today I feel better and the itching is considerably less. Still taking the benadryl.
Chris

 

[missymouse3367]

Glad to hear you are feeling better. Make sure that your Doctor and family are aware of this allergy. I would also get an allergy braclet, the next time the reaction could be worse.