Allergy to carbimazole anyone?

[Hkm2281]

So over the least 3 days I have been bitten pretty much all over my body, hands, face, body even ears. So after fumigating my house but not even seeing one bug, a thought crossed my mind maybe its hives. I started on carbimazole just over 2 weeks ago. Has anyone had an allergy to carbimazole, I'm on 40mg at present. The photo is an example of the rash, anyone think this is hives?

[pennyannie]

Hey there again,

I think you should check the leaflet enclosed with the Carbimazole as I seem to remember a sore throat or a rash being reasons for a change in medication to PTU ( Propylthiouracil ) :

I didn't have the problem, but better getting checked out, just in case.

[Hkm2281 in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks for you're response. Unfortunately it just came in a brown bottle with no patient leaflet.

[pennyannie in reply to Hkm2281]

There is a leaflet available to view on my computer just put in the name, Carbimazole - a rash is mentioned under Allergic reaction - - please check this out.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

The pharmacy was very wrong, in my opinion, to dispense carbimazole without a Patient Information Leaflet. (Even more wrong than usual - I view the PIL as an important thing, but for carbimazole, where you need an understanding of the possibility of dangerous side effects, it is CRITICAL.)

This is an extract from one PIL for one make in the UK. The PILs are, broadly, very similar across all UK makes but there just might be some important differences.

If you can accurately describe the tablets you have, we can probably identify the make.

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines, Carbimazole can cause

side effects, although not everybody gets

them. The side effects usually happen in the

first eight weeks of your treatment. Do not be

alarmed by this list of possible side effects.

You may not get any of them.

Allergic reactions

If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking

Carbimazole and see a doctor straight away.

The signs may include: sudden rash, swelling

or difficulty breathing.

Stop taking Carbimazole and see a doctor

straight away, if you notice any of the

following side effects:

• Any infection such as a sore throat or

mouth ulcers

• Fever

• Unusual bruising or bleeding

• Feeling unusually tired

• You are feeling generally unwell or think

that you may have an infection.

Your doctor may need to do some tests to

check for something called ‘bone marrow

depression’ before you start your treatment

again.

Tell your doctor if you get any of the

following side effects:

• Liver problems such as yellowing of the

skin or eyes (jaundice)

• Muscle pain or weakness

• Nerve pain

• Swelling of lymph nodes

• Swelling of glands in your mouth

• Feeling faint (low blood sugar).

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

Please read what I have posted above. Follow the link and read the whole PIL. Post exactly what you tablets are like, colour, shape, markings, etc.

Take the appropriate action.

[Hkm2281 in reply to helvella]

Thank you for this, I will have a look to see if I can identify tablet. I'm also waiting for a call from GP as I decided it would be safer if I contacted surgery

[Hkm2281 in reply to Hkm2281]

The GP is cutting my dose by half and I'm going to have bloods every 4 weeks. Hopefully half the dose will be better for me.

[pennyannie in reply to Hkm2281]

Hey there again,

Just be sure to run a daily symptoms check, so you can monitor how this reduced dose may start to effect you :

Do you have any current blood tests to know where your T3 and T4 are now ?

Sorry, can't remember are you on Levothyroxine as well or just the AT drug ?

Would imagine if you are to halve the AT drug, Levothyroxine maybe needs to be adjusted as well.

[Hkm2281 in reply to pennyannie]

I never got as far as adding levothyroxine 100mg was due to take that on 1st may. I haven't had any bloods since jan28th. I still have palpitations so can't imagine they were at an optimal level and that's worth 160mg propanalol.

I will keep a daily symptom check, thank you

[pennyannie in reply to Hkm2281]

Yes, as soon as I posted the question I checked back to see your previous post again, and should have come back on an edited my last post, but got distracted, and now you have beaten me !!!

Apologies, my fault, my memory !!!

Just remember there is an alternative to this Anti Thyroid drug so if your symptoms persist or increase please ask the doctor about PTU.

[Lora7again]

I had a similar rash when I took Carbimazole so my GP gave me PTU instead. Which suited me better. It is an older drug that was used before Carbimazole.

Here is a link about it.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propy...

[Hkm2281 in reply to Lora7again]

I think I will end up on that if this doesn't work but i doubt mind trying a smaller carb dose if it means they will keep an eye on me.

[Lora7again in reply to Hkm2281]

PTU suited me better and it is an old trusted drug. However my Endo overdosed me on it so my TSH was 9! You can read my story on my profile page if you are interested.

[Hkm2281 in reply to Lora7again]

To be honest I wasn't really impressed with endo but my GP is nice. Said bloods every 4 weeks so I'm happy with that

[Lora7again in reply to Hkm2281]

Mine was rubbish and didn't monitor me properly. I now look after my own thyroid health because even when I had a thyroid storm in July of last year I received no help from my surgery or my GP.