It’s possible to develop an allergic reaction to almost any substance – including drugs.

One of the more common drug allergies is allergy to sulfa drugs. Sulfa drugs are a type of antibiotic, which were more commonly used in the first half of the 20th century. In more recent times, newer antibiotics have largely replaced this class of drugs for most of us.

However, sulfa drugs are still in use: some bacterial infections still respond better to sulfa drugs than other antibiotics.

Statistics show that about 3 per cent of the population will be allergic to sulfa drugs. Other groups are more prone to allergy, including people with HIV/AIDS.

Reactions can be mild to severe and can even cause damage to internal organs. The most common reaction shows up as a skin rash after taking the drug. Rashes are a frequent symptom for any kind of drug allergy. However, people can experience sensitivity to sun, nausea, itchy skin or eyes, swelling of the face or tongue and even wheezing. Urgent care is required in cases of vomiting, diarrhea, breathing issues, fainting or low blood pressure, or racing heartbeat. These kinds of symptoms can indicate anaphylaxis.

There is no test that can determine whether you are allergic to sulfa drugs or not. The best defense is to always pay close attention to any strange or problematic reaction after taking any drug.

Like all allergies, the best way to deal with a sulfa drug allergy is to avoid it! Keep in mind that sulfa drug allergy may make you more likely to cross-react with certain classes of other drugs, including those that contain sulphur compounds. You can also react to diuretics, some diabetes drugs and pain medications such as celecoxib (often known under the brand name Celebrex) or sumatriptan (known under the brand name Imetrex).

Source: Steady Health