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What Causes Puffy Face After Taking Nitrofurantoin For UTI?
Question: 1. on 10/30/14 I went into see the Dr because of a suspected urinary tract infection. This would be the 3rd in the last 5 months. The Dr prescribed Macrobid and recommended AZO. At the pharmacy I was given Nitrofurantoin Mono and was told it was the generic of Macrobid. I took it as stated 2xper day.
2. On 11/1/14 around 6pm I took a dose of the Macrobid and then started to swell and my face got puffy and itchy along with the rest of my body. I had hives all over and my tounge started to swell before I went to the ER.
3. At the ER I explained that I have reactions to tetracycline and penicillin. They diagnosed me with Angioedema and they gave me an epi shot, pepcid (20mg) and solumudul (?). I was given a prescription for prednosone 50mg for 4 days, zantac 150mg (2x per day) and was told to take benedry every 6 hours.
4. All was ok on 11/2/14 except that I noticed that near the end of the day my face looked like I had a sunburn and was hot.
5. Upon awakening on 11/3/14 around 7:30am I took my regular medicine for HBP (valsartan 80mg) and Fluoxetine (40mg) as well as the Prednisone (50mg), Zantac (Ranitidine 150mg) and Benedryl. Around 8:30am I started to swell up and get hives again. As I was worried that my tongue would swell again I went to the ER again and the got me right in. Once there I was given another epi shot and was given a perscription for Hydroxyzine (50mg). I was then told that it might not be the macrobid and to follow up with my primary care Dr.
6. I went to the primary care Dr and upon reflection remembered that Valsartan (80mg) was substituted for my Diovan (that I had been on for a year with no issues) as of 10/15/14. I probably didn't start taking the Valsartan until 10/18. I wondered if this could be the culprit and asked to be switched back to Diovan. They are working on the prior authorization to get the diovan.
7. As on this morning 11/4/14 I woke up to swollen lips. I then took the prednisone, zantac and fluoxetine. I started to get hivey again but it seems to have slowed down. Got the regular diovan from the pharmacy.
My questions are as follows:
1. As I had taken the macrobid before with no problems could the interaction possibly be with the valsartan or might it be a rebound effect from the macrobid?
2. as Diovan and Valsartan are pretty similar should I stop taking both?
3. What is the difference between the Diovan and Valsartan?
2. On 11/1/14 around 6pm I took a dose of the Macrobid and then started to swell and my face got puffy and itchy along with the rest of my body. I had hives all over and my tounge started to swell before I went to the ER.
3. At the ER I explained that I have reactions to tetracycline and penicillin. They diagnosed me with Angioedema and they gave me an epi shot, pepcid (20mg) and solumudul (?). I was given a prescription for prednosone 50mg for 4 days, zantac 150mg (2x per day) and was told to take benedry every 6 hours.
4. All was ok on 11/2/14 except that I noticed that near the end of the day my face looked like I had a sunburn and was hot.
5. Upon awakening on 11/3/14 around 7:30am I took my regular medicine for HBP (valsartan 80mg) and Fluoxetine (40mg) as well as the Prednisone (50mg), Zantac (Ranitidine 150mg) and Benedryl. Around 8:30am I started to swell up and get hives again. As I was worried that my tongue would swell again I went to the ER again and the got me right in. Once there I was given another epi shot and was given a perscription for Hydroxyzine (50mg). I was then told that it might not be the macrobid and to follow up with my primary care Dr.
6. I went to the primary care Dr and upon reflection remembered that Valsartan (80mg) was substituted for my Diovan (that I had been on for a year with no issues) as of 10/15/14. I probably didn't start taking the Valsartan until 10/18. I wondered if this could be the culprit and asked to be switched back to Diovan. They are working on the prior authorization to get the diovan.
7. As on this morning 11/4/14 I woke up to swollen lips. I then took the prednisone, zantac and fluoxetine. I started to get hivey again but it seems to have slowed down. Got the regular diovan from the pharmacy.
My questions are as follows:
1. As I had taken the macrobid before with no problems could the interaction possibly be with the valsartan or might it be a rebound effect from the macrobid?
2. as Diovan and Valsartan are pretty similar should I stop taking both?
3. What is the difference between the Diovan and Valsartan?
Brief Answer:
Probably its reaction to Nitrifurantoin.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome To HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney.
I understand your concern.
See, by reading your history it seems to me that you have had an allergic reaction to Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid).
Answers to your questions:
1.Its not that an allergic reaction subsides once you get those epinephrine and prednisolone shots.
Your body develop antigen-antibody response which might persists till the drug is completely out of the body and a lot many times people even develop drug rash a month after taking a drug.
So from my point of view Nitrofurantoin is the culprit.
2. At present yes you should stop both and switch to another group of anti Hypertensive that is unrelated like Calcium Channel blocker
3. No difference among the two.
If you have any further query please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Probably its reaction to Nitrifurantoin.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome To HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney.
I understand your concern.
See, by reading your history it seems to me that you have had an allergic reaction to Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid).
Answers to your questions:
1.Its not that an allergic reaction subsides once you get those epinephrine and prednisolone shots.
Your body develop antigen-antibody response which might persists till the drug is completely out of the body and a lot many times people even develop drug rash a month after taking a drug.
So from my point of view Nitrofurantoin is the culprit.
2. At present yes you should stop both and switch to another group of anti Hypertensive that is unrelated like Calcium Channel blocker
3. No difference among the two.
If you have any further query please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response...I appreciate the info!
Brief Answer:
Good Luck.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
I would also advise you to continue Benadryl for atleast next 7 days.
Moreover , mention this to your near and dear that you are allergic to these drugs so that God Forbid but if they ever require you to take for medical help they can mention the attending doctor this.
If you have no further query, you may please close the discussion, rate and review it.
Stay Healthy.
Good Luck.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
I would also advise you to continue Benadryl for atleast next 7 days.
Moreover , mention this to your near and dear that you are allergic to these drugs so that God Forbid but if they ever require you to take for medical help they can mention the attending doctor this.
If you have no further query, you may please close the discussion, rate and review it.
Stay Healthy.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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