Hives caused by medication?

06-01-2017, 05:00 PM

I had been on Zoloft 25mg for about a year with no side effects. In March, my doctor upped it to 50mg and gave me trazadone for sleep. I really like the Zoloft for my anxiety. It really helps, but ever since the increased dosage, I randomly break out in hives at least once a day. Also, in the past 5 days my lips have gotten chapped and dry. They are starting to crack. I have never had this happen before. I am a hypochondriac. This is really scaring me. I read online the dry lips can be from an autoimmune disease like HIV. ( this is why I'm on zoloft!). I took a test 5 years ago before I got married and it was negative. So the rational part of my brain tells me it's not an issue. But the broken part of my brain won't stop thinking about it lol. It feels good to get it off my chest.

Anyways, has anyone else had these side effects with Zoloft or trazadone? Should I stop taking it? My doctor can't see me for another month. Any encouraging advice is appreciated.

06-01-2017, 06:04 PM

I was given a prescription of trazadone once, years ago...it broke me out in hives all across my chest. I saw the reaction within 2 hours of taking my first (and only) dose.

Reactions can happen at any time...whether it is the increase in Zoloft or the Trazadone, you should report this to your prescribing doctor and let them decide if this is a reaction to the drugs.

I do not think you should be concerned about HIV. Sounds like you are really careful about that kind of thing and besides, hives can be from a soap a detergent or even from anxiety...more realistic than all the sudden thinking you have an infection which you (from your description) really know you dont have anything to worry about! Call your doctor! And, make a list of any new products you might have bought in the past month...detergents, soaps, cleaning products, even body lotions or perfumes!

06-02-2017, 12:08 AM

Thanks so much for your response. The Hiv comment was mostly just to show where my mind goes as a hypochondriac lol. The hives are defiantly annoying. They come and go. But if I go to my "happy place" and keep myself from itching they will go away after about 20 minutes. I have an appt at the end of the month. I called the pharmacist and she said to cut the dose in half until my appt, but to not stop taking it all together. Good to know I'm not the only one. It seems common. I have found sites with people complaining of hives while on Zoloft and similar SSRIs, but have also found sites stating it is a rare side effect, so who knows!

06-02-2017, 02:07 AM

Are you sure it's hives? I would call in to your doctor and get their opinion, as hives can be a serious reaction. Even if you can't be seen until the end of the month, they can give their opinion in terms of whether you should stop one or the other or change the dose.

Hives caused by medication?

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