medication rash?

[Juliestev]

Hi had a HA in December last year and therefore put on a mountain of meds. Ramipril,Bisoprolol, Atorvastatin 80mg, aspirin, Eplerenone, Dapagliflozin, Prasugrel

I’ve developed a reddish itchy rash and swelling around my eyes just wondering if this is medication related and if anyone has had anything similar with any of these meds above? My GP is dismissing it and put in a referral with dermatology but I’ve never had this before and wondering if the cause of it could be one of my meds but which as I began them all at the same time?

Thanks in advance for any replies and advice

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I wished your GP would just not dismiss it maybe you do need to see a dermatologist but also I had a allergic reaction first time just a few weeks ago not any of my heart tablets caused it but a antibiotic which I knew was not suiting me and the Doctor told me I would be fine till I broke out in big red welts all over my body and now they have got on my notes not to give it me again

If it gets any worse or does not settle I would ask my pharmacist if any of my meds have been known to cause this you could also phone the BHF Nurses and talk with them and if either say any of your meds could I would go back to my Doctors again

Have you read the side effects of the meds and if any can cause this reaction ?

I really hope you get to find out soon and let us know how you get on x

Heart Helpline team on 0300 330 3311 Mon-Fri 9-5pm

[Juliestev in reply to BeKind28-]

Thanks I will look into it further

[BeKind28- in reply to Juliestev]

x

[Happyrosie]

your dispensing pharmacist might help or the one employed by your doctors group of surgeries.

We all react differently to medications but pharmacists do have chess to the statistics and have years of training behind them in order to advise your doc.

[Gigi70]

hi - sorry to hear if HA but I started the heart disease at the same age.

I e been put on a number of cholesterol busting drugs over the last 10 years, all caused side effects. GP’s always investigate the symptoms as possible new disease? It’s frustrating as when you come off the culprit the symptoms go.

Best wishes

Michèle

[Qualipop]

Everyone automatically gets the standard set of meds after a heart attack. I usually react really badly to any new one but although I had to have every single tablet changed, none was for an allergic reaction. However there are lots of things in tablets that can cause a reaction like colourings or preservatives or fillers.. You may be reacting to just one specific brand. It is terribly difficult to track down the cause. Your pharmacist is the one to ask. Has your GP actually seen the rash?

[Juliestev in reply to Qualipop]

Yes the GP has seen the rash. I’ve had antibiotics and everything for it but it doesn’t get rid of it which makes me suspicious it’s something I’m constantly taking. Hate having to take all these meds!

[Qualipop in reply to Juliestev]

None of us like the tablets but they are given to everyone after a heart attack. Some may be stopped after about 6 months and others after a year. It's 6 years since my HA and now i only take aspirin and a statin but I have to have a specific brand of statin because I react to colourings

[Juliestev in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks I have never had a review of my meds properly since my heart attack in December. I am going to have a review with pharmacist next week so I will ask although she’ll probably refer me back to GP. I don’t know if I need to be on all this medication but I did sustain damage on the left hand side (LAD) and before stent my EF was below 40% it improved back up to 50% with stent. I am worried once I come off the anticoagulant as I’ve been told to take only for a year and if that will then reduce my EF again. So many things to worry about!

[Qualipop in reply to Juliestev]

I never had a review after my HA but I did ask to see my GP to get my discharge letter translated from medical speak into English and he ex plained just what had happened and what each medication was for.. Things were changed only if they caused problems. It's normal to stop anticoag and just keep aspirin after a year. All I had was a blood test to check my kidneys and liver weren't being affected.

[Juliestev in reply to Qualipop]

I tend to Google things as I’m a medical Secretary don’t know if that’s a good thing or not maybe better to not know 😬

[Qualipop in reply to Juliestev]

At least you should know the reliable sites to google. SO much rubbish out there.

[BC4ever]

Hi, I was put on Prasugrel after my HA. Within a week my whole body was covered in a terrible red, itchy rash. It burnt all my body. Was taken off it and given Clopidogrel. The rash stopped and all my skin started to peel off (like very bad sun burn). I've been fine since I stopped taking the Prasugrel.

[Juliestev in reply to BC4ever]

Thanks I have been on it for six months and my skin is very dry. I have a pharmacy review next week so might ask can I change this medication to another one.

Thanks for your input it was very helpful

[momander]

Hi,

None of us are allowed to give any medical advice on this forum. Perhaps it would be a good idea to go with your GP advice to see a dermatologist. Either that or try contacting your cardiologist or cardio rehab team, as they will be able to advise you

[Lowerfield_no_more]

I suggest you initially look up all the listed side effects from each of the medications your are taking to check for a rash side effect. You can do that in your own. You could then talk to a pharmacist. Finally it is a sensible thing to speak with a dermatologist if it has been offered to you, they are far more expert in dealing with skin conditions compared to your GP. And if you can afford it it might be worth making an appointment with a private dermatologist who will certainly be able to see you quicker than the NHS equivalent.

[Juliestev in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thanks I have looked up most of the meds I am on and it seems that all can have a side effect of a rash. I did try and stop each one for a few days but started to feel a a bit wobbly so dont think that’s the way to go. Think I’ll try and switch my anticoagulant and she if that helps. Thanks for the info.

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to Juliestev]

If you intend to experiment with your medication my advice is to do it with the agreement and input of your GP or pharmacist.

[pete109]

I was on Ramipril for over a year before random itchy spots, then a rash that started on my lower legs and arms, then started to spread on my abdomen, GP diagnosed dermatitis and prescribed two big tubes of hydrocortisone, I stopped the Ramipril, my BP is normally normal but surges every few weeks, didn’t use the hydrocortisone, the itching stopped and the rash disappeared over a few days, switched to Losartan, been on it for about the same period and the same symptoms have started appearing + unexplained but slightly harder breathing though not with exercise, so back to the GP to try and get a change in meds, everyone’s different, some can take the meds with no side effects, some get side effects straight away, some get a delayed side effects, GP’s sometimes don’t get it and won’t listen, I’d prefer the GP to do the work but when they don’t you have to help yourself.

[Quesswho]

Hi all your meds can cause itchy rashes and should not be ignored as it could develope into something really serious. If I was you I would go to A&E. I know it's a long wait but your health is more important. I wish you well. ❤

[Juliestev in reply to Quesswho]

Thanks for the advice

[Juliestev]

Thanks I’ve had this rash for a while so don’t think it’s anything serious more annoying. I have a pharmacy review next week at GPs a hopefully they can help me and maybe trial a few different meds. Thanks for your concern