Question:
Yesterday 11-year-old daughter was diagnosed with sinopharyngitis (sp?) -- infection in her ear, sinuses, and upper throat. Last night she started a course of treatment with Omnicef, Tussi-12DS, and a prescription nose spray.

When we went to the doctor, she had a very mild fever and cold symptoms. She'd had these symptoms for several days, and if it hadn't been for the earache, we probably wouldn't have gone.

Her symptoms seemed to have worsened immediately upon beginning the medicine. Tonight she is drowsy, fatigued, feverish, and flushed. Her face is extremely hot and her face is almost purple.

Could this be an adverse reaction to the medicines, singly or in combination?

It is now after hours for the doctor and pharmacist. She doesn't seem to be in need of the emergency room, and that would have to be a last-resort option.

Am I making too much of this? Or not nearly enough?
Answer:
Hey WoriedMom, how are you doing?

This syndrome suggests a severe, unexpected reaction to a medicine(s), Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome. It is not quite like your ordinary allergic reaction, but more of a reaction that occurs when drugs or medications affect several organ systems at the same time.

A defect in the way the liver metabolizes drugs may be responsible. Most symptoms begin as only a high fever, and then a combination of a skin rash and inflammation of one or more internal organs including the liver, kidneys, lungs and/or heart.


Omnicef can cause drowsiness,
Tussi-12DS
can cause tiredness or weakness, and
two medicines that cause drowsiness may be too over-sedating. The effect would be simuliar to suffocation, when a lack of oxygen in the blood or distress on the heart, turns the indivisual a bluish-purplish color.

Nevertheless, it is recommended that you see your prescriber or health care professional if you experience a fever with the use of Tuss 12D suspension. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.

Best wishes,