Title: Sulfa allergies: Overview and what to avoid
Headings: What to know about sulfa allergies
What to know about sulfa allergies
Symptoms
Medications that contain sulfa
Medications to avoid
Sulfa vs. sulfite allergy
Complications
Anaphylaxis
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Treatment
Outlook

Content: It is not clear why some people react to sulfa medications. However, people who are living with HIV or AIDS may be more likely to have a sulfa allergy. Medications that contain sulfa
People have used sulfa-containing since 1936 to treat bacterial infections. Today, sulfa is present in many medications, including eye drops, burn creams, and vaginal suppositories. Medications to avoid
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Sulfa is a constituent of some medications. A person who thinks they have a sulfa allergy should either avoid the following medications or talk to their doctor about taking any of them: antibiotic combination drugs, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Septra and Bactrim) and erythromycin-sulfisoxazole
dapsone, a treatment for leprosy, dermatitis, and some types of pneumonia
sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), which treats Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis
sulfacetamide (BLEPH-10), which are eye drops for treating eye infections
sulfadiazine silver (Silvadene), a cream that doctors prescribe to treat burn infections
However, not every medication that contains sulfonamides will trigger a reaction in people with a sulfa allergy. People should discuss with their doctor whether it is safe to use the following medications. The doctor should evaluate the benefits on a case-by-case basis, as there may be cross-reactivity in some instances. These include: