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Started Carbidopa/Levodopa Today
Parkinson's Disease | Last Active: May 3 8:43pm | Replies (47)Comment receiving replies
Hi, I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s and was prescribed Carbodopa/Levidopa. The day after taking it, I began experiencing a skin rash and hives. After several days, it had not subsided so I was referred to a pharmacist who specializes in drug reactions and interactions. After reviewing my symptoms and all my medications, he said he thought the rash and hives were unrelated to my medications (even though rash and hives are listed as possible side effects of Carbodopa/Levadopa) and that it was just urticaria so he prescribed an antihistamine (Xyzal).I have been taking it for 3 days and it has not helped at all. Hives are spreading and itch so badly I can hardly sleep and is quite irritating all day.Has anyone else experienced this and if so, how did you find relief? Thanks for your thoughts. Jim
Replies to "Hi, I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s and was prescribed Carbodopa/Levidopa. The day after taking it,..."
Thanks for your response. I did mention it to the pharmacist but he was anxious to continue reviewing my full list of meds and didn’t really give me a reply. He did tell me to add Benadryl at night and maybe that will help. I haven’t mentioned it to the prescriber yet. Itching was still bad yesterday but hives are receding. Itching better today but it is always worse at night. Hoping that feedback from others might help me understand the cause. Thanks for your help.
Your cause may be related to a medication or food. My sister-in-law had one trigger for her hives- strawberries. She would have a reaction within a day after eating them. You mentioned a medication, can you associate any food you ate before your reaction?
Thanks for the advice to consider food. I cannot think of any food that I ate that I have not eaten before so have ruled out food. I have read that some people react to the yellow dye in Carbodopa/Levidopa. My hives have now receded but still have a minor itch. Hopefully, it will be gone soon. Thanks for your help.
Hello @jaybee51,
If these symptoms don't resolve soon, it might be wise to ask for a referral to a dermatologist or an allergy specialist. I look forward to hearing from you again. Will you post again as you work to resolve problem?
Thanks Teresa. I am now free of hives and only have a little itching left. Either the meds are working or my body got used to what it had been attacking. What a relief!
Hi, @jaybee51 - just wondering what happened with the rash and hives you were experiencing? Are you still taking Carbodopa/Levidopa?
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@jaybee51 - I'm sorry to hear about the hives you've experienced and that the antihistamine prescribed for it has not helped at all after 3 days. Having it spread and itch so much you can hardly sleep sounds rough.
I'm tagging a few members who have talked about hives to see if they have any thoughts for you: @kimass1 @gardeningjunkie @amberpep and @taterjoy.
Have you mentioned to your prescribing doctor or the pharmacist you were referred to how bad your hives are and that the medication hasn't helped? If so, what did they say?