What Causes Persistent Itching Despite Taking Medications?

Hello and welcome to HCM, I have experienced itching and hives myself, so I know how maddening it can be. You apparently are having a medication allergic reaction. Be sure to let all future doctors you see know this so that they don t prescribe you any other meds related to it. I imagine you have stopped taking it. If you haven t, please stop and let your doctor know that your have stopped and why. Antihistamines are helpful but you usually need to take them continuously while the reaction lasts. Benadryl is fine, but can be sedating in some people, and needs redosing about every 6 hours. Instead, you might want to try cetirizine (Zyrtec) which lasts 24 hours and is less sedating. Allergists prescribe up to 4 times that dose in people with severe itching. But I would not recommend that high of a dose unless you have seen a doc first, and also it needs to be titrated up gradually. Start with 1 tablet and if that isn t working, you can increase to 1 tablet twice a day safely. Some allergists also add over the counter Zantac 150 mg twice a day. This is a stomach acid medicine, but it is also a different type of antihistamine called an H2 blocker. It is given in addition to, not in place of, a regular antihistamine, which are H1 blockers. If you are having any symptoms other than hives and itching, you should be seen promptly. These include fevers, vomiting, a bulls eye appearing rash, or any other symptoms that are involving your body other than your skin. If you stopped the Jardiance and you take Zyrtec or Benadryl in an ongoing way and the rash and itching still continue or seem to be getting worse in spite of antihistamines, you may need a short course of corticosteroid (Medrol, Prednisone) to shut the reaction down. Treating with antihistamines is of course the safer approach if you have diabetes, as corticosteroids will usually raise blood sugar. I hope this information helps, and good luck. I hope you are feeling better soon.