Allergic to multiple antibiotics - what happens now?

[antibioticallergy]

I’m allergic - blotching rash/swelling of face - to trimethoprim, and penicillin, and been told not to take nitrofurantoin either as makes me very ill (constant vomiting) .

Unfortunately I’ve got a bladder condition that means I get frequent UTIs/kidney infections needing treatment . Suspect that’s what’s caused the reactions, I’ve had UTIs every year since I was about 4 (I’m now 30) .

What happens now? Presume they just have to give me different antibiotics instead ? GP said they have others they can try but said might need to discuss with others first . Can they give you penicillin and eg antihistamines etc to try and prevent a reaction?

No they won't give you an antibiotic you are allergic to plus an antihistamine. Unless you like death by anaphylaxis.

There are lots and lots and lots of antibiotics. They would consult with people in the know, pharmacists for knowledge of range of drugs, microbiology for what your infection might be sensitive to etc.

No, attemping to manage an allergic reaction to an antibiotic would be an absolute last resort in a case where an infection was going to cause imminent death.

They will try you on others, there are a lot of antibiotics. They just need to do a bit of consulting to find one that will work and is least likely to cause a reaction.

a doctor once asked me on despare "well what am I supposed to give you?"

I don't know your the doctor.

They wont give you anything you are allergic to. They will give you different ones and hope you are ok.

Maybe cefalexin could be an option. Or there are many others.

Really they should culture the urine and check what antibiotics the bacteria is sensitive to, and try one you haven't tried before