Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Hives On Body After Taking Ciprofloxacin?
Question: I was given ciprofloxacin for a bladder infection. I broke out with hives on the first dose taken at night, but thought it was something else. Took the next dose in the morning and got the hives again, felt bad and went right to the urgent care. They told me to keep taking the drug and added a steroid. Did as they said, but really felt bad thru this period. The bladder infection got cleared up, but a couple of weeks later started to get the flowing symptoms: Sore feet, leg and thigh pains, veins in lower legs and feet bulging, week, anxiety, hard time walking, low blood pressure, weight loss, and a few more. This happened 2 months ago
and I am not better. I just turned 70, was in good shape, walked 3 miles a day, and run my own business.vas
I think the cipro damaged my nerve system and caused some type of dysautonomia?? Or maybe vasculitis, but do not have a rash -- maybe just a few spots on arms - hard to see with freckles. Have been to the doctor - not getting anywhere. Went to the Urgent Care today and they took a blood and urine sample. They said there was blood in my urine, but we have not got the test back yet. My question is - from the symptoms above do you think I am on the right track? Thank you for your help
and I am not better. I just turned 70, was in good shape, walked 3 miles a day, and run my own business.vas
I think the cipro damaged my nerve system and caused some type of dysautonomia?? Or maybe vasculitis, but do not have a rash -- maybe just a few spots on arms - hard to see with freckles. Have been to the doctor - not getting anywhere. Went to the Urgent Care today and they took a blood and urine sample. They said there was blood in my urine, but we have not got the test back yet. My question is - from the symptoms above do you think I am on the right track? Thank you for your help
Brief Answer:
Consider seeing a neurologist or rheumatologist.
Detailed Answer:
I am so sorry for the symptoms you are having.
I could not find dysautonomia in the Cipro literature. However, that does not mean that it has not caused your symptoms, and given the timing of it, and that Cipro is known to cause nerve problems such as peripheral neuropathy, I would think there is a connection. (See: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm365050.htm).
Some of these symptoms may improve with time, but I think it would be a good idea for you to see a neurologist. If it takes a long time to get in to see one in your area, and if you need a referral from your primary doctor, consider getting one now (even before seeing your primary doctor) to speed things up. Or just ask your doctor's nurse for a name of a good neurologist in your area and make the appt. yourself. You can always cancel it later if you don't need it.
There have been cases of cutaneous vasculitis reported with fluoroquinolones (the class of antibiotic that Cipro is in), but I would think you would notice some red bumps. Symptoms of vasculitis include weight loss, fevers, fatigue, night sweats, numbness, weakness, aches and pains. So there is some overlap here.
I tend to be rather cautious with prescribing certain meds, and Cipro is never a good first choice. And with the hives, I would have had you discontinue the Cipro immediately rather than add a corticosteroid. However neither of these would be considered bad practice of medicine, but I would not endorse it. Similarly, I am not a fan of gabapentin as it can cause muscle weakness, and it seems like it is being prescribed too frequently. So unless it is deemed you have to take it, I would skip it.
The other place to start would be a rheumatologist. Perhaps they drew some rheumatological blood tests when you went to the urgent care.
Again, I am very sorry for this difficulty and I hope you will be making some recovery over time. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Consider seeing a neurologist or rheumatologist.
Detailed Answer:
I am so sorry for the symptoms you are having.
I could not find dysautonomia in the Cipro literature. However, that does not mean that it has not caused your symptoms, and given the timing of it, and that Cipro is known to cause nerve problems such as peripheral neuropathy, I would think there is a connection. (See: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm365050.htm).
Some of these symptoms may improve with time, but I think it would be a good idea for you to see a neurologist. If it takes a long time to get in to see one in your area, and if you need a referral from your primary doctor, consider getting one now (even before seeing your primary doctor) to speed things up. Or just ask your doctor's nurse for a name of a good neurologist in your area and make the appt. yourself. You can always cancel it later if you don't need it.
There have been cases of cutaneous vasculitis reported with fluoroquinolones (the class of antibiotic that Cipro is in), but I would think you would notice some red bumps. Symptoms of vasculitis include weight loss, fevers, fatigue, night sweats, numbness, weakness, aches and pains. So there is some overlap here.
I tend to be rather cautious with prescribing certain meds, and Cipro is never a good first choice. And with the hives, I would have had you discontinue the Cipro immediately rather than add a corticosteroid. However neither of these would be considered bad practice of medicine, but I would not endorse it. Similarly, I am not a fan of gabapentin as it can cause muscle weakness, and it seems like it is being prescribed too frequently. So unless it is deemed you have to take it, I would skip it.
The other place to start would be a rheumatologist. Perhaps they drew some rheumatological blood tests when you went to the urgent care.
Again, I am very sorry for this difficulty and I hope you will be making some recovery over time. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
