I Think I'm Allergic To Pill Coatings and Can't Figure It Out!

[Sleeping~Beauty]

Christine, I have strange medicine allergies also. It has been so strange, that I finally went to an allergist. After all sorts of patch and needle tests, I did find a few things I'm allergic to, but nothing to do with the meds that give me hives and rashes!

My allergist said that for me, I could either do more extensive testing, or keep a record of what bothers me, and pinpoint from there.

What I've found is that I seem to be allergic to medicine that is red and certain meds that contain red dye. This has held true for me so far.

 

[KikiFan]

My daughter has the same problem and for her it's an allergy to red dye. I have to rinse the color coating off the ibuprofin before she takes it.

 

[themarquis]

I'm not sure you've heard of it, but hives can be psychologically triggered. I'm definitely not saying you're "making it up"!

But ... anxiety, having the thought "I might get hives" if I do this/swallow this pill/eat this/ etc, and/or the release of certain kinds of brain chemicals (for example, adrenaline) can physically cause hives. It is a *real* reaction ... but not a reaction to an ingested substance, if that makes sense.

I particularly thought of this because of how some pills (I think you mentioned this) have caused a hive at some times, but not at others. Also, the time you took the Feosol, you thought to yourself, "this looks like it will give me hives". This could be enough impetus to physically begin to cause a reaction.

One more thing to think about ... to what extent is this single hive potentially dangerous (i.e., as a sign that you could one day have a serious reaction), and to what extent is it not a sign of anything, but merely an inconvenience? This you would have to talk to an allergist about (since I do not know). I am not sure that in most cases, a single hive is a harbinger of any more serious reaction -- in that case, it could be that you could come to grips with the possibility that on the rare occasions you *must* take a coated pill, then you *must* have an annoying, itchy hive. Certainly a dose of benadryl (coated or uncoated, since you already have a hive ... what's the diff!!) could alleviate any itchiness.

Just some thoughts ... good luck figuring things out ... but don't worry yourself too much!

 

[Christine]

I'm not sure you've heard of it, but hives can be psychologically triggered. I'm definitely not saying you're "making it up"!

But ... anxiety, having the thought "I might get hives" if I do this/swallow this pill/eat this/ etc, and/or the release of certain kinds of brain chemicals (for example, adrenaline) can physically cause hives. It is a *real* reaction ... but not a reaction to an ingested substance, if that makes sense.

I particularly thought of this because of how some pills (I think you mentioned this) have caused a hive at some times, but not at others. Also, the time you took the Feosol, you thought to yourself, "this looks like it will give me hives". This could be enough impetus to physically begin to cause a reaction.

One more thing to think about ... to what extent is this single hive potentially dangerous (i.e., as a sign that you could one day have a serious reaction), and to what extent is it not a sign of anything, but merely an inconvenience? This you would have to talk to an allergist about (since I do not know). I am not sure that in most cases, a single hive is a harbinger of any more serious reaction -- in that case, it could be that you could come to grips with the possibility that on the rare occasions you *must* take a coated pill, then you *must* have an annoying, itchy hive. Certainly a dose of benadryl (coated or uncoated, since you already have a hive ... what's the diff!!) could alleviate any itchiness.

Just some thoughts ... good luck figuring things out ... but don't worry yourself too much!

Thanks for your comments. I'm certainly no stranger to anxiety and I did think about that. When this first started, I was regularly taking ibuprofen. I remember being home this one particular week due to my thyroid scanning. I was tired and had a horrible headache. I took two Motrin and laid on the couch. About an hour later, I woke up from my dozing and noticed my chest was itchy. I looked down and I had a single hive dead center in my chest. I assumed that it was a bite from something. I have dogs so my thought was a flea bite or something. Never gave it another thought. This was in November. I continued to take Motrin. I would say that 90% of the time I took it, I got this hive. This went on for about 3 weeks (yes, I was taking a lot due to some back pain). Most times I would hive up. I started to get suspicious of the Motrin but still not really thinking that was it. In late December, I got my period and I took Motrin for 3 days for cramps. I had no hive. Figured that the previous hive was just some fluke. Then I stopped the Motrin. Finally, on New Year's Eve I got a headache. I took two Motrin. Got a very itchy hive dead center on my BACK this time! That's when I discussed with my doctor and he told me to stop it for awhile and use either Aleve or Tylenol. I used Aleve once (no reaction) and have been using the Tylenol (sparingly) ever since. The first time I took the Tylenol (as I haven't used it for about 10 years), I certainly *was* anxious about a reaction. Same with the Aleve. In fact, I was quite panicked about it. But nothing happened.

I had actually come to believe that the Tylenol would not give me a problem. Then I got that stupid hive a few days ago.

I did go to Target yesterday and their Tylenol also has "povidone" in it, which is starting to concern me.

As far as, can I live with it. I've wondered that too. My only concern is that I know that repeated exposure to an allergen can eventually cause it to get much worse. I don't know if I'd be one of those people that would happen to.

 

[djm99]

I thought many of the pill coatings were gelatins (in most cases Pork) unless otherwise stated that it has a vegetable coating. I remember reading that in a Jewish newsletter some many years ago.

 

[Christine]

I thought many of the pill coatings were geletins (in most cases Pork) unless otherwise stated that it has a vegatable coating. I remember reading that in a jewish newsletter some many years ago.

The gel caps probably are some type of gelatin, however, I am using tablets which just seem to have a hard, thin shell over them.

In any case, I had pork souvlaki last night with no issues!

 

[nid]

And, I don't know what to do or who to turn to but it's really getting me down.

First off, I have discussed this with one GP, two dermatologists, and two pharmacists. I get a "wow" and a shrug.

Last November, I noticed that whenever I took ibuprofen I would get a hive on my chest. Just one hive. It occurred almost 45 minutes after the dose of ibuprofen and it would last for about 2 hours. No matter what brand or off-brand it was and no matter the color (some are orange and some are brown) The hive was white in the center, raised, and then red all around. Then it just disappeared. After this happening a few times, I thought I had an ibuprofen allergy and immediately stopped taking them and discussed with my doctor.

I then switched to acetaminaphin, which doesn't work as well, but no hive.

Several months ago, I was trying out some new iron tablets. I picked up a brand called Feosol. When I went to take the first pill, I remember saying to myself--"this pill looks just like one of those brown ibuprofen pills" which was odd because my other iron tablets never looked like these. Within 45 minutes of taking half the tablet, I had a huge welt on my breast (not the chest this time but close enough).

At this point, I knew I wasn't allergic to iron and started to think about pill coatings.

I then created a spreadsheet and put in all the ingredients in Feosol and ibuprofen, plus I added two medications in there that I weren't giving me any reaction just to see if I could narrow it down (acetaminophin and sudafed). I knew that I could exclude any common ingredients that were in all four. After doing all that, I really only came up with two ingredients that it could be. Still I wasn't sure because I think many things I do take could have those two ingredients.

Moving along--this weekend I get a headache and I take my standard Tylenol. I couldn't believe it--I got the WELT on my chest again. I know this sounds stupid, but I literally felt like I was going to cry. I feel very out of control with this.

Yesterday, I went to the store and found some regular strength, brand name Tylenol that had VERY little in the way of fillers. I took some last night and did not get a hive.

Obviously, it is a filler of some sort, but I just CANNOT narrow it down. What has really thrown me is the delayed reaction to the Tylenol if it is the same ingredient causing it. I have no clue which one is the culprit in order to avoid it.

I seem to be able to take other pills (with no "sheen" on them) just fine: Synthroid, Xanax, Flinstone Chewables, Prilosec.

I really want to figure this out but I don't know where to turn at this point. I think a REALLY clever pharmacist could figure it out but I can't find one!

Has anyone EVER heard of such a thing and any ideas how I might figure it out?

 

[nid]

I too have severe allergic reaction to any pill coatings. I have had a few anyphylactic shocks and fully understand. I am highly allergic to latex as I have been in medical profession and have been exposed to gloves. Some of pill coatings are made up of plant matter as a binding substance. This can include the rubber plant which is where latex stems from. Are you allergic to latex?

 

[Poohlove]

Can you take geltabs?

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Can you take geltabs?

That was my question as well, no coatings, different dyes. I have also seen dye free generic ibuprofin from Walgreen's I think.

 

[Kae]

I know these 2 things will sound yucky but what about liquid or suppositories?

Kae

 

[Uncranky Donald]

I too have severe allergic reaction to any pill coatings. I have had a few anyphylactic shocks and fully understand. I am highly allergic to latex as I have been in medical profession and have been exposed to gloves. Some of pill coatings are made up of plant matter as a binding substance. This can include the rubber plant which is where latex stems from. Are you allergic to latex?

Yes, used in both binding pharmaceuticals and processed foods. I find it in lots of gluten-free breads, Microcrystalline cellulose. I find it fascinating that they've made a binding agent to make things more processable from the least processable component to human guts (cellulose)...crazy!!

 

[Jennasis]

Original post is from 2007, just FYI.

 

[Uncranky Donald]

Original post is from 2007, just FYI.

I tell ya, zombies are everywhere these days!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Original post is from 2007, just FYI.

Well I for one would like an update from @Christine a decade late! I know she still posts, so I assume she didn't succumb to anaphylaxis!

I was going to suggest a liqui-gel formulation since it would have a different coating, but I bet she figured out an answer to her issue.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Oh christine, did you see this , lol!!!!! Of course I can say that as one of your bff thyroid peeps!

 

[AileenAmieiro]

Hi!! After many years of suspecting that I am allergic to some ingredient(s) on dietary capsules, I came to the conclusion that there is something on "Pure Encapsulations" dietary supplements that make be very very sick. At first, I could not believe or suspect this was possible.
I started visiting a new Gynecologist a couple of years ago. She suggested some supplements for different reasons. She offers you the ones she sells (Pure Encapsulations) or you can buy them on your own. I bought the ones in her office for convenience purposes. Every time I started taking them I ended up in the emergency room with nausea, severe vomiting and diarrhea. I did not make a connection about the capsules being the reason. I thought I had some kind of food poisoning or stomach bug. I stopped all the supplements until my stomach recouped. When I felt better, I started the supplements again and the symptoms got worse and worse. For a while, I couldn't figure out what was happening to me. Eventually, I found out the cause of my sickness by process of elimination and being super attentive to what I was eating and drinking.
I told my doctors but they told me it was difficult to figure out exactly what ingredient I was allergic to, if this was in fact the case.
Now I am 99% sure that it was caused by some ingredient in this particular brand, because I take other supplements manufactured by other companies which I tolerate perfectly.
I checked and compared the labels, but is very difficult to pin point the differences between the ingredients because there have many patented formulas included.
Allergies are so tricky!!!!
I hope everybody gets better. Don't take no for an answer. Keep looking for the cause of your ailments. It's a very lonely process..... "Been there done that".