Hep C Discussion Forum

Tig · Admin

RE: Question about Ribavirin side effects

Larry2384 · Member

Thanks to everyone who weighed in on my question about ribavirin. I am beginning to believe the symptoms that I have been experiencing are likely being caused by the amoxicillin the dentist prescribed for my abscessed tooth even though I have never had any prior adverse reactions to penicillin type drugs. When I started researching the side effects of amoxicillin, they more closely resemble these prickly electric sensations that I have been feeling in my fingers and all over my body. Amoxicillin also can cause rash and hives which I did not know because I have never had a reaction before. I only have to take amoxicillin until this Thursday and will be done with and hopefully my side fx will be gone.

Maybe I jumped to conclusions to blame ribavirin. I don't know for sure but leaning to believe amoxicillin is what is causing me this grief.

Thanks everyone!

ucbgal · Senior Member

larry,

welcome to the forum and congrats on starting the new drugs!

generally speaking they claim that those who suffer sx early on tend to be quick responders. as i recall my rash started 10 days into tx. am now 2 wks eot & still dealing w/ it.

be proactive,don't scratch for it spreads,ice it, hydrate and get to dermotologist if you can't control it w/ otc meds.

be proactive w/ teeth as well!!!! thrush and dry mouth are the causes of the cassis. here's my suggestions; dental guard at nite, flouride rx toothpaste, dry mouth rinses, ph balance strips,ph balance ion drops,chew gum and clean teeth thoroughly.

please keep up w/your excersise routine. i did as well and it trully has been a great source of stress relief from the sx. furthermore you get those great endorphins & much needed oxygen flowing throughout your adjusting body.

wishing you mild sx, und & svr.

sandy,ucbgal

Zlikster · Guru

take extra care of your teeth during tx! Brush and floss more than usual (be careful with blood on toothbrush, sterilize brush afterwards) and use mouthwash (i have used one with no alcohol in).

as Malcolm said, avoid direct exposure when Riba accumulates...this is a must! I had such a sever sunburns (1month post tx).

as for dry skin and rashes, Excipial® U Lipolotion helped me.

cheers

Tig · Admin

I had the same problem as I first got started on treatment. I was on triple therapy with Victrelis. My doctor told me to cancel a scheduled dental exam, which I did cancel. But less than two weeks later and a tooth broke under a crown and caused me some terrible pain. It had to come out, I tried putting it off but no way could I go through Tx feeling like that. I had to get authorization from my Hepa and had to see an oral surgeon, who removed it. I then had to go on Amoxicillin 500 mg 3xDay for a week to avoid an infection because my white count was dropping fast. Good word is I didn't have any problems from the antibiotics, but now have to cut my food up into smaller bites, lol! When I hit the Lottery I'll look into implants, they would be a nice addition that's for sure! Interferon is hard on your teeth, mine hurt all through Tx and turned dark in color. Good dental care is a must!

mallani · Guru

Hi Larry,

By all means get all the exercise you can manage. The known drug interactions with Sovaldi are still incomplete, so that is why any drugs prescribed should be checked by your Hepatologist. I'm in the process of getting 3 dental implants due to loss of teeth from Rx, so I'm a bit anal about dental checks. Interferon is usually the culprit, so that's one less worry for you. I do think that Hepatologists should insist on dental checks before, and during any Rx. If the itchy skin/rash is due to Riba, stay out of the sun, and don't scratch. Best of luck.

Larry2384 · Member

Thanks everyone for the quick responses. I didn't know that I had an abscessed tooth until I recently started losing sleep over it. I called the dentist on Tuesday and an hour later I was getting a root canal. The tooth was infected and so was prescribed amoxicillin to kill the infection. I think my last dose is next Thursday.

I wonder if the combo of drugs might be causing me this prickly feeling. I had no side effects until the amoxicillin started to get in my system. I can deal with it but was afraid it was going to get worse by the day.

I am going to try and play some racquetball tomorrow morning and maybe I can sweat some of this stuff out of me. Any reason why I shouldn't try and exercise while on treatment? I feel up to it.

Thanks!

mallani · Guru

Hi Larry,

Usually the Riba rash, with dry itchy skin, takes several weeks to develop. I'm surprised you're having dental work done while on Rx. Usually antibiotics and Rx are a no-no, and you should really have had your teeth thoroughly checked before start of Rx. The decreased neutrophils from Rx often contribute to dental problems. I hope you told your Dentist you were on Rx. Hope it settles but be careful of what drugs you take. Cheers.

smccune · Veteran Member

@Larry2384....I know the feeling. I am in week 14 of inter/riba and I have very dry itchy, red, rashy skin. Warm...not hot oatmeal baths and lots of lotion helps. Keep the back scratcher handy at all times....lol. I think you just get used to it. Benadryl helps also. Hang in there. It won't last forever and will be worth it.

Larry2384 · Member

I am not allergic to antibiotics or penicillin but typically at the end of a bottle of antibiotics, I tend to begin to become mildly sensitive.

My skin feels very prickly and it isn't unbearable by any means but wondering if this is going to be progressive as the days go by or whether this is the full extent of it. This is the first 24 hour period where I have had any sfx.

I tried to contact my doctor today about but I missed the return call and with Christmas next week, I may be on my own except for this forum until after Christmas.

Thanks for weighing in; I appreciate it!

Tig · Admin

Hi Larry,

Yes, Riba will cause rashes, dry skin and itching in differing degrees. I have to ask you quickly while I'm thinking about it, are you allergic to or sensitive to penicillin or antibiotics? hopefully they asked you about that ahead of time. Assuming you're safe to take antibiotics, I would say that you're likely experiencing SFX of Riba. Many of us either took or take an OTC antihistamine like Cetirizine. You'll need to clear it with your doctor but it's generally acceptable. You can also try some lotion, like calamine. Warm oatmeal baths will provide relief from the irritation too. We've all gone through it to one degree or another. It can really be irritating, but with attention it's tolerable and can be controlled. Just understand that it will likely come and go through treatment. Try these things and I'm sure others will offer some advice too. Hang on, you're doing a good job!

Larry2384 · Member

I started my treatment of sovaldi and ribavirin last Saturday and had no side effects until the past 24 hours. My skin has been crawling since yesterday and feels really prickly as if someone rolled me in fiberglass dust or something.

Is this a known side effect of ribavirin?

My dentist gave me a prescription for amoxicillin to combat an abcessed tooth infection that required a root canal and was wondering if the combo of the antibiotic and ribavirin might explain this prickly skin issue or whether this is all ribavirin. I have read it causes rashes and irritability. If this continues to escalate, I can see how it would make one irritable. I can probably lean into it if it doesn't get much worse but hoping it will go away.

I would like to hear of other experiences with ribavirin and what to expect as I go forward.

Thanks in advance!

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