AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question My husband has severe itching with many pain meds like MS Contin, Hydrocodones, Oxycodones, Hydromorphones, MS and Oxy IR, even his feet itch. He has chronic back pain and has tried so much that doesn't work or make him itch. He takes Benadryl and Zyrtec allergy and it doesn't help. He has been fighting a headache for 5 yrs, since his last back surgery and nothing has helped. It has really been bad the last 2 wks and I am afraid that he will take matters into his own hands. We have a pain Dr. But he doesn't seem to be able to help either so please if you have any suggestions that might help please let me know. Thank you.
Answer Dear Pamela
This is probably not an allergic reaction as such but an adverse effect of the drugs. It is not uncommon but your husband appears to be suffering more than most. It is not really a true type of allergy but is related to histamine . I would advise taking an antihistamine about 1 hour before the pain tablet is taken. There are so many antihistamines on the market it is difficult to advise one except try one of the non- ones first eg cetirizine or loratidine. If these do not work the sedating ones may be better but sedation can be a problem. I would speak top your prescriber about this.
