Title: Sulfa Allergy: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Headings: An Overview of Sulfa Allergy
An Overview of Sulfa Allergy
Symptoms
Common
Severe
When to Call 911
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Sulfonamides vs. Sulfates
Understanding Sulfite Allergy
A Word From Verywell

Content: For many with a sulfa allergy, there typically is a low risk of reacting to non-antibiotic sulfonamides. 12 ﻿
However, topical sulfa antibiotic medications should be avoided if you are known to be hypersensitive. These include: 1 ﻿
Sulfacetamide shampoos, creams, and eye drops
Silver sulfadiazine ointments used to treat burns
Sulfanilamide vaginal preparations
Similarly, the oral drug Azulfidine (sulfasalazine) used to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis should be avoided. 13 ﻿
Since the risk of cross-reactivity to non-antibiotic sulfonamides is low, it is considered generally safe to take the following drugs: 1 ﻿
Celebrex (celecoxib), a COX-2 inhibitor used to treat arthritis
Diamox (acetazolamide) used to treat epilepsy, intracranial hypertension, glaucoma, and heart failure
Diuretics like Bumex (bumetanide), HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide), Lasix (furosemide), and Thalitone (chlorthalidone),
Migraine medications like Frova (frovatriptan), Imitrex (sumatriptan), and Relpax (eletriptan)
Non-antibiotic eye drops like Genoptic (gentamicin sulfate), Isopto Atropine (atropine sulfate), Maxitrol (neomycin + dexamethasone + polymyxin B), and Polytrim (polymyxin B + trimethoprim)
Oral sulfonylureas-class drugs like Amaryl (glimepiride), Glynase (glyburide), and (Glucotrol) glipizide used to treat type 2 diabetes
Sulfonamides vs. Sulfates
Sulfates are compounds containing sulfuric acid that are used as preservatives in packaged foods and wine. They can cause reactions in some people but are not related in any way to sulfonamides. As such, you don't need to avoid sulfates if you have a sulfa allergy. 14 ﻿
Understanding Sulfite Allergy
A Word From Verywell
The nuances of a sulfa allergy can be tricky to tease out, even for some healthcare providers. That's why it's important to tell your doctor about any prior reaction you may have had to a sulfa medication (or any other drug for that matter).