Recent allergy to penicillin - any connection to ET or Hydroxy?

[Zoebowie]

I have ET and started Hydroxy 500 mg in February 2024. I recently had to take 2 antibiotics. One was Doxycycline for a stomach infection which I tolerated well and immediately that was finished I was to start Amoxicillin for an ear infection. I had never been allergic to penicillin in my 71 years but as soon as I took the first tablet, I took a terrible reaction- throat dry and closing , red itchy rash starting on my hands and spreading all over my body, dizziness, blurred vision and just felt really ill. I was so ill, I just lay down and eventually fell asleep. When I woke up a few hours later, all my symptoms had thankfully cleared but it was a frightening experience. My doctor said I must have become allergic to penicillin. I asked if it could be linked to my ET or Hydroxy but he didn’t think so and said that it can happen even if you’ve never been allergic before.

Has anyone with ET or on Hydroxy had a bad experience or become allergic to penicillin afterwards?

[Rem31]

I have ET and taken hydroxycarbamide for around 11 yrs. No problem so far with any antibiotics taken since diagnosis but was already allergic to one antibiotic pre diagnosis. A friend (mid 60s, no previous reactions and no Mpn) recently experienced an unexpected and nasty reaction to an antibiotic. So, based on my limited experience, I’d say your GP probably has a point.

[Zoebowie in reply to Rem31]

Thanks for replying. That’s good to know as I was worried that it might have something to do with the condition or the treatment.

[Exeter21]

I have been allergic to penicillin long before my ET was discovered. I had severe rash each time used so now avoided on my medical records. 👌

[Scaredy_cat]

I became allergic to penicillin as a teenager after being ok with it earlier. This is often typical

[gset]

same happened to me, but I do not know if there is any relationship, it could just be a change in how a drug is made ( I haven’t had penicillin since to test that theory, but I have had reactions to different manufacturer drugs of regular things I take, and know which one I can have) or just a build up of an intolerance over time. Very hard to know

[Pogm]

I'm sure that was pretty scary. Glad it turned out ok. As we age(ugh) our bodies just become allergic to things(foods, meds,) that we may never have had a problem with before. Make sure that that is included in your medical records for future reference. Stay well!

[Zoebowie in reply to Pogm]

Thank you. Yes my doctor updated my medical records straight away.