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Suggest Remedy For Lip Swelling In An Elderly Person
Question: I have had swollen lip three times in the past two weeks. It does not seem to be a bite. The first time it was the bottom lip, then several days later, the top lip, and tonight the top lip again. It feels like it starts inside my lip. I have taken two to four benedryl tablets and it goes down along with benedryl cream on the lip.
I have been reducing the amount of pravastatin the past ten days to about 3mm a day from 10mm a day, to quit entirely. I am 73 and in good health.
I have been reducing the amount of pravastatin the past ten days to about 3mm a day from 10mm a day, to quit entirely. I am 73 and in good health.
Brief Answer:
Allergic/inflammatory response likely
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
If the swelling subsided with use of benedryl then its an allergic inflammatory response. The involvement of the lips indicate angioedema. You need to continue the anti histamines for at least 2 weeks. If benedryl is taken for now, you can continue with non sedating anti histamines after the swelling has subsided e.g desloratidine or fexofenadine. LTR antagonists like montelukast can also be advised in addition, in consultation with your doctor. If you experience any shortness of breath, choking sensation or voice changes then you should go to an ER immediately to rule out possible laryngeal edema. Pravastatin is usually not associated with such an adverse effect especially if you have been using it since long. 10 mg is not that high a dose. You don't need tapering for that to stop it. If upon starting the pravastatin recently , this phenomenon of lip swelling emerged then you should stop it immediately to see if the episodes subside.
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Let me know if you have any query
Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.
For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107
Dr. M.S. Khalil
Allergic/inflammatory response likely
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
If the swelling subsided with use of benedryl then its an allergic inflammatory response. The involvement of the lips indicate angioedema. You need to continue the anti histamines for at least 2 weeks. If benedryl is taken for now, you can continue with non sedating anti histamines after the swelling has subsided e.g desloratidine or fexofenadine. LTR antagonists like montelukast can also be advised in addition, in consultation with your doctor. If you experience any shortness of breath, choking sensation or voice changes then you should go to an ER immediately to rule out possible laryngeal edema. Pravastatin is usually not associated with such an adverse effect especially if you have been using it since long. 10 mg is not that high a dose. You don't need tapering for that to stop it. If upon starting the pravastatin recently , this phenomenon of lip swelling emerged then you should stop it immediately to see if the episodes subside.
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Let me know if you have any query
Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.
For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107
Dr. M.S. Khalil
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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