hives

  I have stopped taking Zestril after symptons of hives and itching recently appeared.  I am on Cozaar and Coreg right now. (I've been taking coreg and zestril for 10 months for my cardiomyopathy) . It has been one week since I stopped taking  Zestril, but I am still experiencing the same symptoms. Randomly  I  get sensations of itching, burning and stinging.  When I scratch even softly,  I get welts.  If the symptomns are not from the zestril, could they be from an alllergic reaction to Coreg??  What do you recommend doing?
  thanks,

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

Dear Kim,
Since these drugs you take are potentially of great benefit to you and your heart
I would recommend you see an allergist who could test you for all kinds of allergies
including food allergies.  Now I am not sure of the rules by the allergist, such as how
long you need to be off one or all of your drugs before the testing can be done, and
for this reason there should be communication between your cardiologist and the allergist.
Your reaction if it is from the zestril could simply be continuing because the drug has not
been completely flushed from your body or could be that you are allergic to an
ingredient in the coating of the pill which the new drug also has, and as stated
before you simply may have developed a food allery in which case it would be a
very unecessary and even harmful thing to stop taking the medications for good.
If the allergist does need you to stop your cardiac drugs temporarily, or simlply change
them around this is where the cardiologist and allergist need to co-manage.  Good Luck and
get to the allergist soon.  If you feel the allergies are worsening or you experience any
shortness of breath call 911 to be taken to an emergency room.  Information provided in the Heart
Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only, actual diagnosis and treatment can only
be made by your physician(s).