My daughter is anaphylactic allergic to dairy and also allergic to amoxicillin. I’m having a lot of anxiety right now since I’m certain she has strep and we’re going to the doctor in a few hours. I’m worried about safe antibiotics. Has anyone with a severe dairy allergy taken Zpac or azithromycin? Or something else safe that is used for strep? I just want to be somewhat informed before going so I can ask the right questions about safety.
Thank you. My “baby” just turned 18, so today she has decided to go in by herself for the first time and try advocating for herself while I sit in the waiting room. I do worry, like you said, about them screwing up what they prescribe because I know how direct I have had to be in the past. Hopefully everyone’s help here will help us know things should be safe.
Just make sure she’s well educated on the importance and difference of different med options and she’ll be good! I was around 18 when I was advocating for myself as well(:
Do you know if you have issues with Cefdinir because they've given that to my son without issue although it's technically a cephalosporin. They said it's not the same as amoxicillin, and he hasn't had issue. So now I'm curious of your experience! It is infuriating the pharmaceutical industry isn't bound by allergen labeling like the food industry.
I was only 4 when I had an anaphylactic reaction to Cefprozil. There’s no way in hell I’d touch any cephalosporin.
I completely understand you there! Was just curious if you'd had experience with it. I'm supposedly allergic to penicillin because I went into anaphylaxis at birth with if but haven't felt the need to challenge it since lol
My son has anaphylactic allergy to dairy and has taken cephalexin and azythromycin with no ill effects for two different infections. Definitely bring up your concerns with your doctor & pharmacist, but in my experience it's been fine.
Thank you. I really loved our old doctor and trusted her but my ex changed the kids insurance so now I’m stuck going to an u familiar place, so I just wanted some outside reassurance.
I'm allergic to sulfa antibiotics and dairy proteins. I totally understand your worry, but you've likely taught her everything she needs to know, and there's a reason they ask you what your allergies are in every appointment. If they know why she is there and she tells them her allergies, they should have made that connection immediately. You have to trust that your girl is ready to stand up for herself! And you're there in the waiting room if she needs you.
I have friends allergic to amoxicillin who take azithromicin. Clindamycin is another option I think…
Also just steer clear of fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxicin, levofloxicin etc) - these should not be even considered but also destroy the body’s mitochondria as they kill the bacteria - I took 4 pills 11 weeks ago and have a host of daily issues.
Also I’m allergic to sulfa (I break out into hives)
Not sure if my dairy is a true allergy but it does give me tons of inflammation
I have a childhood friend who has faced the devastating effects of flouroquinolones! It scares me so much that a doctor would choose to prescribe them for anything less than a life threatening situation.
And no docs know how to treat it. I had a pseudomonas infection that it was either cipro or sulfa and sulfa = hives.
Ended up on 2 weeks of iv meropenem to clear the infection - 11 weeks later wish I’d chosen hives = /
Try searching vegan antibiotics, the brands depend on your country. Does she need liquid? If so, also search for compounding pharmacies.
Thank you. Google was what led me to azithromycin I a just not super trusting after dealing with the dairy allergy for 18 years, I find it hard for people to understand and I have to double check everything.
I have found Cefdinir also safe for my anaphylactic allergic to dairy kid. We have a potential allergy to amoxicillin but hasn't been confirmed via testing for sure yet. And it's been given multiple times now with no issue. Good luck I know it can be scary just check with the pharmacist regarding active and inactive ingredients for whatever med is prescribed to ensure it's safe before giving it to your child.
Thank you
I have never had an issue with the Zpacs. Though I am under the impression that the Zpacs are vegan? I have an amoxicillin, dairy, and injection medium allergies. I have never had an issue with z-packs allergy wise.
Thank you this is good to know because I know it’s common and we won’t have to worry.
I respond best to azithromycin, but be aware it stimulates gastric motility so it can cause some diarrhea! It's usually over by day 3 or 4 for me, and it doesn't make me nauseous or anything, just have to go a lot.
Thank you
I take azithromycin, too. But I actually take it for that exact effect (increased gastric and intestinal motility).
I took it a few times for that, too! It helped my gastroparesis when Reglan stopped working.
I’m allergic to dairy and penicillin! Usually capsule medications are safer than tablet medicines.
Minocycline is a safe one.
You can look up medicines and their ingredients usually on the NIH website, and let your pharmacist/pharmacy know about her allergy!! They should always let you know if a medicine has dairy in it before giving it to you.
Thanks, this is super helpful. I never thought of the NIH site.
Of course!! I take multiple daily medications so got used to searching. It’s important to explain to pharmacists sometimes that YES even the tiny bit of lactose monohydrate in medications is enough to cause a reaction!
There’s also almost always a liquid form of the medication if there isn’t a capsule form!
There are plenty of other antibiotic options! Your provider should be well educated about your choices since antibiotic allergies are common. I’m allergic to cephalosporins (anaphylactic) so I’m always prescribed meds from a different family of antibiotics. Your babe will be prescribed from a different family than amoxicillin. Please know though that you will ALWAYS be your baby’s best advocate. I’ve had multiple times over the years where I’ve talked to a provider about my allergy and they’ve screwed up what they prescribed me. Quadruple check with pharmacy and your doctor. If your baby’s allergy is anaphylactic stare them in the eyeballs and make sure they listened. Also cross-check by googling the med.