Reaction to Imitrex injection

Hi,

I have been a member here for a long time, but I haven't posted for awhile.

I have used imitrex injections for at least fifteen years. I have had no allergic reactions in all that time. Yesterday I took a shot, and immediatly my arm got red and I broke out in hives over my upper arm by the injection site. Has anyone ever had a reaction to a triptan like this?

The pkg says to contact your doctor right away. I didn't because I wasn't having trouble breathing. I don't want my doc taking away the only thing that helps my migraines.

Anyone else had an allergic reaction, and what did you do? Thanks

Kathyp

I haven't had that reaction, but I suggest you don't take it again without talking to your doctor. Allergic reactions VERY commonly get worse with each exposure. Next time could be deadly.

Any chance you got a different manufacturer this time? If so, it may be an inactive ingredient, not the active ingredient. Otherwise, yes its possible to develop a reaction, allergic or not, to something that you've used forever. Definitely make an appointment to talk to your doctor because your next reaction could be worse. I agree it probably didn't warrant an emergency call since you are ok currently, but you do want to figure out your plan for your next migraine. There may be new meds you haven't tried (or some your doctor hasn't thought of, so a different consulting doctor could be helpful), so don't worry prematurely that there isn't anything else out there. Triptans are usually first line meds, so if you had trialed all of them, they may be more likely to move into other classes of meds not as commonly used, such as ergots, narcotics, etc. Also, something that didn't work 5 years ago may now work for you. Unless you had a bad reaction, re-trying a sample may be worth it. Best wishes.

I appreciate all of your thoughts, I will look at this more closley.

Kathyp

Don't take it again. You may have had hives but the next time might be anaphalactic shock.
I skipped all rashes and hives and went straight to gasping for breath. Imitrex is catching up to penicillin as more people are allergic to it than aren't. Don't risk it again. Your body screamed, listen to it. It would be horrible to be by your self have a more serious reaction. There are so many other ones to try. i am also allergic to Relpax, Maxalt. I have been using Zomig for 12 years without any problem.

I have multiple drug allergy syndrome due to my systemic sjogrens so with me it is usually not will I react but how will I react.
Good luck.
kathy