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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Continuing Reaction to C-Blockers?
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
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Continuing Reaction to C-Blockers?
by BillK3, Sep 07, 2006 12:00AM
I posted a week ago re: a negative reaction to Norvasc after 3 weeks of being on that med. I had developed pretty bad hives covering my back and sides of the neck. My Cardio and GP agreed to switch me to Diltiazem, with Zyrtec to lessen the itching. I found Diltiazem to be easy to switch to, in fact it seems that Norvasc might have had me spun-up a bit, as I seemed to become more relaxed with Diltiazem.
It's almost one week later and the hives are reduced by at least 50%, but they are still there. Should a patient just stay on a med like this to see if the hives go away with time? Is there a good 3rd choice in the c-channel blocker class?
I'd like to remain on this class of med, at least for a while, as I have not had another vasospasm (although it's totally possible that I would not have had another anyway!).
I look forward to your opinion.
It's almost one week later and the hives are reduced by at least 50%, but they are still there. Should a patient just stay on a med like this to see if the hives go away with time? Is there a good 3rd choice in the c-channel blocker class?
I'd like to remain on this class of med, at least for a while, as I have not had another vasospasm (although it's totally possible that I would not have had another anyway!).
I look forward to your opinion.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Sep 07, 2006 12:00AM
, Sep 07, 2006 12:00AM
Bill K,
If you have a reaction to a medication, it should not be continued. I would advise you to see an allergist as some of your reaction in your initial story does not seem perfectly consistent with it being from the norvasc.
good luck
If you have a reaction to a medication, it should not be continued. I would advise you to see an allergist as some of your reaction in your initial story does not seem perfectly consistent with it being from the norvasc.
good luck
Interestingly, I am currently suspecting my dry-cleaning, of all things! The start of my rashes are very coincidently timed with my needing to wear pressed dress shirts/ties at work for presentations. However, the rashes seem to hang on for days once they are established.
I am avoiding any dry-cleaned shirts for a couple of weeks and I am going to see if my skin clears up. I'll report back either way, as it might be of some benefit to other readers/posters who believe that they are reacting to calcium-channel blockers.
If it is contact with dry cleaning chemicals, I'll consider it a blessing, as the Diltiazem I was switched over to seems to be easier to tolerate than the Norvasc I was originally prescribed!
All is well so far on the vasospasm front as well. Feeling great!
good luck