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What Is The Risk Of Using A Keflex In A Patient With A Penicillin Allergy?
Question: I am allergic to penicilim and was given cefpodoxime (keflex) at hospital I experienced a large red area down my leg. The doctor said the cefpodoxime would not hurt me but why the reaction? I
ended up in hospital with flu complications and breathing problems
could my allergies to penicilium and cefpodoxime be related? The doctor said that most people with pen. allergies could tolerate this cefpodoxime After my first visit to ER for flu I must have received some of this antibotic (on Monday am) by Tuesday I had a large red area from the middle of my legs down the inside. I was very sick and by Tuesday 4pm couldn't breathe. Went back to hospital was given IVs and antibiotics in ER and admitted for 2 days. The red spot continued with no one knowing what it was. When discharged from hospital was told I had taken penicillim. I kept questioning doctor and he said it had not hurt me. When husband went to pick up perscription pharmacy question it and said it could actually kill me. I need to get to bottom of this so if I end up in this situation I have something to reassure myself its ok or argue. I was told 10% only has reaction to this medicine Could I be in this 10% range?
ended up in hospital with flu complications and breathing problems
could my allergies to penicilium and cefpodoxime be related? The doctor said that most people with pen. allergies could tolerate this cefpodoxime After my first visit to ER for flu I must have received some of this antibotic (on Monday am) by Tuesday I had a large red area from the middle of my legs down the inside. I was very sick and by Tuesday 4pm couldn't breathe. Went back to hospital was given IVs and antibiotics in ER and admitted for 2 days. The red spot continued with no one knowing what it was. When discharged from hospital was told I had taken penicillim. I kept questioning doctor and he said it had not hurt me. When husband went to pick up perscription pharmacy question it and said it could actually kill me. I need to get to bottom of this so if I end up in this situation I have something to reassure myself its ok or argue. I was told 10% only has reaction to this medicine Could I be in this 10% range?
Brief Answer:
There is a low possibility of cross allergy from penicillin and cefpodoxime
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using Healthcaremagic to post your health concern.
I read it carefully and I understand your concern.
A very low percentage of people who have severe allergy from penicillin would have an allergy from cefpodoxime. If the allergy from penicillin is not serious then the effect from cefpodoxime will not hurt at all.
Yes a serious allergy from antibiotic can kill you, but if you are in hospital it can be controlled without a problem.
The problem in your leg can be or cannot be an allergy. I cannot say without being there. But it looks like it.
Hope this is helpful and answers your question.
Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
There is a low possibility of cross allergy from penicillin and cefpodoxime
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using Healthcaremagic to post your health concern.
I read it carefully and I understand your concern.
A very low percentage of people who have severe allergy from penicillin would have an allergy from cefpodoxime. If the allergy from penicillin is not serious then the effect from cefpodoxime will not hurt at all.
Yes a serious allergy from antibiotic can kill you, but if you are in hospital it can be controlled without a problem.
The problem in your leg can be or cannot be an allergy. I cannot say without being there. But it looks like it.
Hope this is helpful and answers your question.
Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
How do I go about explaining this if I end up in hospital again. The more I think about it the drug cefpodoxime - was the only thing I had taken before I got the rash. I really couldn't feel the fullness of my kidneys while with this rash because it actually started in the middle of my legs and went down the left side. I would go to restroom because I knew I should go-not because I felt like I was full. After coming home from the hospital and going off the anti-biotic the rash has gone and feeling has come back. Has this ever been a reaction before? I also felt I couldn't breathe later in the day after I found the rash but I also had became so dehydrated and with pneumonia I was not sure what was going on. I do not like the coincidences of these reactions.
Brief Answer:
Just mention that you are allergic to penicillin and cephalosporins
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Most probably the other symptoms were from pneumonia and the general condition you had because allergy doesn't give a dysfunction of the kidneys.
All you have to say when you go to the hospital is that you are allergic to penicillin and cephalosporins. Now you know that. The doctors know what they should give to you and what to avoid. It is not a big problem and they should avoid that. Maybe they didn't expect that you weren't allergic to cephalosporins too, but even if you are and even if low chance, you just need to avoid them.
Hope this reassures you.
Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Dr.Papaqako
Just mention that you are allergic to penicillin and cephalosporins
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Most probably the other symptoms were from pneumonia and the general condition you had because allergy doesn't give a dysfunction of the kidneys.
All you have to say when you go to the hospital is that you are allergic to penicillin and cephalosporins. Now you know that. The doctors know what they should give to you and what to avoid. It is not a big problem and they should avoid that. Maybe they didn't expect that you weren't allergic to cephalosporins too, but even if you are and even if low chance, you just need to avoid them.
Hope this reassures you.
Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Dr.Papaqako
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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