[1656] Severe hives due to medication (Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid) (May 2023)

I am writing to let you know that I am having a rather severe case of hives as a reaction to a medication and my doctor tells me he has another adult patient who reacted the same.
The medication is APO-AMOXY/CLAV 875/125. I have had amoxicillin before but not the clavulanic acid. He tells me the clavulanic acid is put into the tablet to help stop people from having difficulties with penicillin.

Thought I'd bring it to your attention as I am now in my 7th week of continuous hives as I am reacting to everything, especially amines. I am trying to go back to the elimination diet but I have been living on that for the last 30 years and have worked out a nice little menu of goodies I 'allow'. I am a super responder so it may not affect others. The hives are all over with extreme burning and itching especially at night, skin is very dry including eyelids with dry eye and styes, happily no lung or throat problems. Treating with daily Telfast tablets and so far 4 sessions of a few days of Prednisone.

Hoping you can find out if this is a new thing and if others are likely to react the same. - Gumnut

(Sue's note: Yes, we have heard of severe reactions to this new drug in children, see our blog “Unusually aggressive” behaviour triggered by new antibiotic.  Information from the Cleveland Clinic seems to suggest that people who have intolerance to foods and/or food additives may be at risk https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18084-amoxicillin-clavulanic-acid-suspension  - as the RPAH handbook says: Avoid non-essential medication).