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Weakness, Body Ache, Swollen Arm, Hands And Low Grade Fever After Taking Penicillin For An Infected Tooth. Allergic To Penicillin?

Posted on Wed, 20 Jun 2012

Question: My husband started taking a generic penicillin for an infected tooth 6 days ago. He actually started feeling worse after starting that. He was weak, slept a lot, and his whole body ached. We 1st thought he was coming down with something on top of the infection. He took the penicillin 4 days then had his tooth pulled. He felt so much better! That was short lived. By the next day, and now the 2nd day, he is so weak and hurts all over. We wonder if he could possibly be allergic to the penicillin. He is swollen under his arm from carring a board and his hands seem swollen to him where he cannot make a complete fist. He has a low-grade fever that comes and goes of around 101 degrees. He said he is not going to take any more of the penicillin to see if that helps. Will appreciate any advice.
Thank you, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Mitaly (47 minutes later)

Hello,

Thanks for posting your query.

It seems that your husband is having allergy to Penicillin. Some of the common symptoms reported for allergy are rashes, itching, swelling, breathing difficulty, weakness, dizziness, fatigue, loss of consciousness.

You should consider visiting his treating doctor for evaluation as he might require change of antibiotic and medications for controlling fever.

His blood pressure (BP) also needs to be evaluated as fluctuations in BP are also some of the common findings after allergic reaction.

Kindly stop the offending drug and ask him to take rest.

Hope this answers your query. Please accept the answer in case you do not have follow up query.
Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Mitaly (30 minutes later)

Thank you. I do not know why the additional information was not appearing in my question stating his previous medical history and current medications. He had a bone marrow transplant in 1998 and as far as we know he is free of cancer. He has not been checked in at least 5 years because we do not have medical insurance. He does have Diabetes and is taking Metformin, Actos, Glyburide, and Januvia. He was also taking Ibupofrin. Do you think any of this could interfere with the Penicillin? Also, is it possible he has some sort of flu or pneumonia?

Answered by Dr. Mitaly (49 minutes later)

Hello,

Thanks for the follow up

There are no significant interactions between ibuprofen, medications for diabetes and penicillin However, it is important to understand that it is difficult to manage infections in people with diabetes. It would be best if you get your husband evaluated by a physician so that a systemic infection can be ruled out.

Regarding the fact whether he has flu or pneumonia, it cannot be commented without a physical examination and investigations. Usually it would present with cough, breathlessness, cold and uncontrolled fever.

I would advise you to get him clinically examined once so that the exact cause can be ruled out and also current blood sugar levels can be interpreted.

Wishing him good health!
Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli

Follow up: Dr. Mitaly (8 hours later)

How long then would it take for the penicillin to get out of his system? Also, what are the symptoms of a systemic infection?

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Mitaly (13 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for writing again.

Penicillin is excreted faster as compared to other drugs and usually after stopping the drug it would be excreted in 2 to 3 days. But it also depends on the dose and for how long it was taken. Within a week’s time it should be completely eliminated.

Systemic infections are any infection of the body part and organs which may or may not be related to raised blood sugar.

Regards,

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E