Cephalexin allergy?

[MaddieISU]

I was put on Cephalexin 500mg twice a day, to cure Impetigo that I developed after a bad chest cold. I am allergic to amoxicillin, but my doc said I shouldn't react to  it. It has been 3 days since I have
started the medication, and I have developed little red bumps all over my body, and I am becoming very itchy. Could this be the antibiotic's doing?

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum, adverse cutaneous reactions to drugs are common encountered now a days esp. if the person has an allergic past history. It is quite evident that you are allergic to penicillins. Such allergy is seen in as high as 10% of patient ranging from mild rash to severe reactions and depends on the body's magnitude of sensitization to such drugs.

Patients who are allergic to penicillins should avoid all penicillins. Other groups of antibiotics that contain a beta-lactam structure similar to that of amoxicillin or ampicillin, include the cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams. As you you have been given cephalexin which is a Cephalosporin and can also cause such allergic reaction (cross reactivity or allergy).

The allergic reaction keeps on worsening unless the offending drug is discontinued.

Hence, the line of management would be-
- Discontinue the cephalexin.
- Adding of oral anti histamine and corticosteroids against prescription will help subside the allergic reaction
- Avoid future use of above mentioned antibiotics

I suggest you to consult physician. Take care and regards.

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum, adverse cutaneous reactions to drugs are common encountered now a days esp. if the person has an allergic past history. It is quite evident that you are allergic to penicillins. Such allergy is seen in as high as 10% of patient ranging from mild rash to severe reactions and depends on the body's magnitude of sensitization to such drugs.

Patients who are allergic to penicillins should avoid all penicillins. Other groups of antibiotics that contain a beta-lactam structure similar to that of amoxicillin or ampicillin, include the cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams. As you you have been given cephalexin which is a Cephalosporin and can also cause such allergic reaction (cross reactivity or allergy).

The allergic reaction keeps on worsening unless the offending drug is discontinued.

Hence, the line of management would be-
- Discontinue the cefpodoxime proxetil
- Adding of oral anti histamine and corticosteroids against prescription will help subside the allergic reaction
- Avoid future use of above mentioned antibiotics

I suggest you to consult physician. Take care and regards.

[trdofbeingtrd]

I am not a doctor, but since you started going through this symptom after taking the medication, and because of what the symptom is, I am thinking it is the antibiotic doing this.

You should see your doctor and let him/her know what has happened. They should have a test for you to see for sure if this is the problem. If it's not (which I doubt) they will be able to help anyways for the problem.