Do I have a Metronidazole allergy?

[gingergingerginger]

Hello. Does anyone have a metronidazole allergy?

I'm 2 days into a course and I've come out in massive hives and huge red patches all over my body. I've stopped taking them and taken some antihistamines, but what should I do next? Should I inform the GP? Do I need to have a test or something? What are your experiences?

Just to be clear, my airways and breathing are fine and someone is with me. Just a shocking rash. Also, my pharmacist friend has assured me I don't need hospital unless I get breathing difficulties. I'm just wondering how to proceed medium-term, iyswim.

Oh poor you. Is there any chance this could be unrelated, maybe due to the hot weather? I have had a horrible red and itchy rash today.

I had something similar with metronidazole. I'd always had awful side effects, but they got worse each time I took it.
Then the most recent course I came up in hives quite quickly and the doctor believed it was more than likely an allergy to the antibitoics.

First port of call would be to contact the doctor who prescribed the medication so that you can get an alternative, especially as it's antibitoics. Then just mention when you see your GP (if it wasn't them who prescribed it), more than likely they'll document it and that'll be that.

Each time someone is going to prescribe something they should ask for allergies so you'll just have to mention it in future.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

Yes this is an allergy to Metronidazole. I had exactly the same many years ago. I came out in a rash and went to the hospital as it kept getting worse, and was injected with antihistamines and kept in until the next morning just in case. I was ok, but was told not to take Metronidazole ever again and to be sure my GP and dentist etc. knew. I don't want to alarm you, but if you find the hives start to join up and/or you start to have trouble breathing, you really need to be going to the hospital. Good luck OP.

Sorry OP, I've just seen your pharmacist friend already mentioned breathing difficulties

Thank you.
@DoneAndNotDusted what do you mean by joining up precisely? They are already doing this in that the patches are getting bigger. I am also getting new patches. In the last half an hour my left ear has swollen up a bit and gone red so I have phoned 111 because I am a bit worried about it getting near to my face/throat. Waiting for a call back from a doctor now.

I'm a bit worried about going to the hospital and being silly about it because my breathing is fine and I don't want to waste their time.

@gingergingerginger what you describe is what happened to me, and I just found it safer to go to the hospital. I'm glad you're getting a call back, but if you don't hear anything for a while and you're still concerned, it won't do any harm to go to there. You won't be wasting their time at all, please don't worry about this, and they can keep an eye on you. I hope all goes well.

Thank you.

Update: I did go to hospital in the end because it kept getting bigger and I was paranoid about my throat. They sent me home with advice to take more anti-histamines, which I have done. Rash has mostly settled now, but not before spreading to my feet, palms of hands, and face. No part of my body was spared.

I've read that metronidazole allergy is rare, so not sure what the GP will say.

I'm allergic to weird and wonderful things too op. Hope you have a sympathetic gp who will understand.

@gingergingerginger I'm glad you're ok now, and you made the right decision to go to hospital.
You've brought back memories - my rash started to settle down, then flared up on other areas of my body. I remember calling my GP in a panic, but it was ok and went away soon after.
You should find that medics take this kind of thing seriously, but I find myself reminding them if I need antibiotics for anything!

Thank you. That means a lot because I did feel silly going to the hospital, which was compounded by the fact they didn't seem concerned at all. I think the nurse was keen to admit me, but the doctor wasn't.

Anyway, the rash has really gone to my face this afternoon. I haven't had an ab for nearly 36 hours but this reaction is still ongoing. Unless it was something else...

Hello, thank you for sharing. I believe I'm having a reaction as well. In the same areas. I normally don't have skin reactions to medicine. My breathing and other factors in the "serious side effect" panel are normal. But this rash appeared out of nowhere. I am on day (2) of the medication. I will stop & contact GP if it continues.

Hi,
Advice pleaseee x
this may sound absolutely insane but my partner come home with these scratches yesterday from work.. he does work outside as a roofer and his job entails a lot of lifting and works around sharp tiles and objects.

I just think they look so much like finger nail marks and my head is going round in circles??

(my partner did ask me to take this photo so he could see the marks)
Thank you.