I’ve been prescribed the above for very uncomfortable itching of my back and other areas of my body. GP advises that it doesn’t interact with my medications flecainide and bisoprolol but I thought I’d find out if any experience of this drug exists please? It can go under the brand name Allegra or
It seems that my issues have been caused by the Pfizer vaccine and not what I thought was my medication and I have read many many posts that this problem exists (hives, pruritis etc). There’s one medical report that has 177 pages of posts from people who have had the same problems. My medication was giving me no side effects but when I got my first shot I started getting itchiness on my chest (nipples). When I had my second vaccine I started getting an itchy back although it was manageable. My booster in October has resulted in really uncomfortable itching on my back and if I scratch it, it leaves weals on my skin and I get an explosion of itchiness that is tough to handle. In addition I got a sore mouth, which has reduced in severity over the last few weeks thankfully.
Any views would be appreciated
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Profound15
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My experience with fexofenadine (Allegra) is that, out of all the H1 antihistamines, that is the best one for reducing itch, but also the one that would trigger arrhythmia (ecoptics) for me and sometimes afib. I looked online and found that was actually a side effect - arrhythmia, palpitations, etc. So I threw it out.
I was trying ALL the H1 antihistamines for a severe skin itching/hives problem I developed while on a leukemia drug. I gave each antihistamine at least one week trial. I think I went 2-3 weeks on the fexofenadine because it worked the best. But I was experiencing a lot of arrhythmia, and when i looked closely at my health diary, i saw that these arrhythmia episodes always started 30-60 minutes after taking fexofenadine.
Re: your skin itching problem and weals, people are reporting all kinds of inflammatory reactions to the vaccines. These mRNA vaccines do send immune system into hyper-drive, which plays out differently in different people. Some people have no problem. The supplement quercetin (occurs naturally in citrus fruits, apples, onions), is considered a natural anti-histamine and inflammatory. Might be worth looking into that. Make sure no conflict with heart meds, of course. I often take 500 mg quercetin with zinc for anti-viral benefit of that combo.
Thanks Kim. I’ve just taken my first dose of the anti histamine. Mine is self branded and Allegra I believe can contain a decongestant which causes arrhythmia. The one I’m using does not contain that additional chemical. As I’m on flecainide and bisoprolol I’m hoping I don’t get any arrhythmia issues. This was prescribed by my doctor and he has told me there is no interaction with my medication. I’ve really got my fingers crossed. I’m also hoping that my itchiness subsides in the near future but only time will tell. This is so new that there is no experience of dealing with the immune response to the vaccines. Hopefully when the antibodies fade away the resultant itchiness will also. Again my fingers are crossed
i was just taking the solo fexofenadine - not the one that also contains the decongestant. So for me it was unfortunately the fexofenadine that was causing the arrhythmia. But let's hope it doesn't have that effect on you. Good luck! I hope that itchy problem subsides.
Thanks Kim. Been doing great with the medication including ectopics so if they start I’ll stop the anti histamines immediately and use Piriteze instead
I was gettng hives every winter and severe itching at night on my lower legs. I started on Quercetin at a very low dose and this winter no hives and much reduced lower leg itching.
Even less! 250mg every other day. The capsules are labelled Quercitin complex and there is other stuff in them - Bromelain ,Rutin , Acerola extract. I alternate it with NAC as part of my immune system promotion regime though if I got covid I would increase both. I am quite sensitive to drugs - a quarter pill of Cetirizine every 3 days would control the hives, but also made me horribly somnolent and gave me awful backache - but after reading about Cetirazine withdrawal I did not wish to continue with it and came across Quercitin as an inhibitor of over active mast cell activity.
No I don't think it does. At one point when I was taking the 600mg capsule every day I suspected that it might even be implicated in the hive problem. I'm not sure that it was. But then my husband takes it every day and he sneezes a lot!
Sorry got another question. Did you take the fexofenadine right before you had a meal or on an empty stomach. The advice note states should be taken before a meal. The pharmacist advised that would be minutes before you eat. Looked on line for the definition but it didn’t clarify it
Thanks Kim. I’ve had three palpitations after taking the fexofenadine so I’ll see how I get on tonight but they might be going in the bin if it continues
Fortunately there are other H1 antihistamines that don't seem to have that affect on heart rhythm, although I found they were not quite as good at suppressing itching. Loratadine (brand name Claritin) is the one I use the most now. It's pretty good for itching and seems to have no impact on heart rhythm at all.
As an interesting (or not!) addition, both my daughter and granddaughter had urticaria with COVID during the first wave. It was also reported as a symptom on the Zoe app. That doesn’t help you I am afraid.
Before trying an antihistamine (the one you have is a very good one I gather, although it didn't help my sinusitis), have you tried a crotamiton based cream such as Eurax? When I had itching as a side effect of some tablets I had been prescribed, it was the only thing that stopped it. At the time, I called it wonderful. It was recommended to me by my wife's late aunt who felt much the same about it. It's a unique product. The usually recommended creams, such as E45 Itch Relief, did nothing for me.
These days, I suffer with dry patches of skin on my back that can itch intensely, and I still use Eurax now and then. I bought a wooden back scratcher, too, which helps!
Actually, your experience has made me wonder whether an elderly friend isn't having similar problems to you. He's put his itching down to carpet beetles, even though he isn't certain what it is. He had two doses of the Oxford vaccine with the Pfizer booster.
Thanks Ppiman. I bought Eurax cream funnily enough but haven’t used it yet. I’ve also got piriteze tablets. Tried one of those and it helped but needed E45 itch cream on top of it. Had a reasonable nights sleep last night without feeling the intense itching so the fexofenodine does seem to work. No further ectopics too. Got the odd itch here and there but nothing like what I’ve been sufffering. I’ve also purchased a back scratcher as well. As the vaccines are so new no one knows what the solution to this issue with pruritus/hives etc is. Will it go away eventually or am I stuck with this for life. That’s the real concern. The GP told me to use the antihistamines for 3 or 4 weeks then get back to him. Hopefully I’ll then get some testing done to find out if it’s an overactive immune response and we can go from there. People have been prescribed xolair in the us for this overactive immune system issue but I’m not sure what that really is. The number of people with this in what appears to be caused by the vaccines is enormous apparently.
I found Eurax cream quite effective for hives once they apeared but as they came up in lots of different places it was no good as a prophylactic. I have been taking Quercitin at a very low dose for about 6 months now and no hives this winter!
I expect it will eventually fade as most things do, but you might remain sensitive even then. There was likely something in the vaccine that started off an allergy or dermatitis? It's a devil when things like this happen. My itching went on for a very long time after I stopped the tablets that caused it, in fact, I'd say that I've remained "itchier" ever since.
Try Quercitin. I have found it has worked very well against the hives and itching I was getting in winter for several years. This year no hives and much reduced itching. I have only been taking a low dose every other day.
I take a very small dose 250mg every other day. I have no idea whether it reacts with Flec or Bisoprolol . I consider it far less detrimental than taking an anti histamine daily.
I take the same medications as you, plus several others. I had two periods of severe rashes caused by Candesartan and Fexofenadine sorted it out. But I still get a very itchy back after 3 months.
Thanks ATSF. I’m of the view, looking at my timeline, that my itching has been caused by the Pfizer vaccine doses. All of my symptoms which have increased in severity have occurred a few weeks after each dose. I’ve now read dozens of articles and hundreds of posts of the MRNA vaccines causing pruritus and or hives. I’ll follow my GP’s instructions with the anti histamines and take it from there. Did the fexofenadine take long to clear your rash up pls. I’ve only taken one dose last night but I’m feeling a little bit itchy now (around 19 hours after). Did you find the anti histamine worked for 24 hours consistently or did it have to build up in your system. Thanks
Well that’s been 6 days of taking 180mg of fexofenadine and I have to report that I’m getting a lot of ectopics today (Saturday). Up to now I’ve only had a few daily and not that many but today. Whilst the itching has by and large stopped having all these ectopics is very disconcerting. My medication (flecainide and bisoprolol) have been working well and had reduced my ectopic number very significantly as well as controlling afib. I’ve taken the last fexofenadine tonight as I’m not taking any more. I’ve got a supply of piriteze which I’ll start taking if the itching comes back. Does anyone know how long the fexofenadine stays in the system please?
Hi Prof … I have, in recent weeks, changed from CERTIRIZINE to FEXOFENADINE and feel that my itchiness has virtually gone. Having said that, in the recent four months or so, I asked if I could be changed over from WARFARIN to APIXABAN and that was achieved. Now I don’t know which changes, if any have had an impact on my present condition.
I had AZ vaccination 13:03:21 and a month later, I was having absolutely horrendous itchiness, especially on lower legs. The intensity was frightening. I delayed my second jab and eventually had the Pfizer potion. My recent booster was of the Moderna variety.
In all honesty, with recent events over a longish period, I’m confused with my health changes and got to a state of absolute desperation.
As a footnote, can I just say that, I pushed for the WARFARIN termination primarily because of strong discolouration of my lower legs and that condition has markedly improved.
Lastly, can I also say that any warmth, especially on my lower legs would increase itchiness dramatically but that now is not the case. Praise be to that chap upstairs…GOOD LUCK.
Thanks Ticker. I find that my palpitations have increased with the anti histamine and it does state that could happen as a side effect. I’ve also read certizine can cause withdrawal symptoms so I think I’ll probably go for clarityn as that doesn’t seem to have the issues the other have.
Meant to say I’m sure the vaccines (three doses of Pfizer) have caused my itchiness. What I hope is that this side effect will stop over time so fingers crossed.
Hey Prof…my dosage is 120mg and I generally take before food but not hard and fast. In the early days of vaccine roll out, I was almost fully convinced that the itchiness and the hives (I think) was down to AZ jab but I was advised by “THE EXPERTS” that it was highly unlikely.
I attended a dermatologist, which was a waste of time.
At this period, I was getting really very perplexed by the whole affair. I have slightly forgotten now, how ‘down in the dumps’ I was and didn’t want to live that kind of existence. I would say I’m 95% better now but I’m hoping that the discolouration will keep improving (down to elimination of warfarin me thinks). Got no confidence in the so called professionals, I’m afraid. I think that the reading up I’ve done on-line has been the secret to MY success, without sounding arrogant.
I’m on 180mg a day and been on it for 7 days so far. First day today I forgot and took it straight after I’d eaten. Been taking it just before my dinner. The GP has given me 4 weeks worth but I’m not sure I can handle the palpitations but we’ll see. In regard to the vaccines I’ve researched it and there are thousands of people who are complaining about hives and itchiness. You’re correct that the experts are wrong if they think it’s not a delayed response.
You know Prof…As time goes on and considering events and happenings that take place, the incredulous world events don’t ‘gob smack’ me any longer. Sometimes just go by your instincts is the best route to take.
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