Question 1

how to know if clindamycin (antibiotic) has any sulfa in it? i am allergic.

Accepted Answer

No: Clindamycin is not a sulfa drug

Question 2

if i'd have an allergy to a sulfa antibiotic would i know that from the first pill ? or can it happen even after a few days ?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If you were exposed to sulpha before, an allergic reaction can be seen after the first pill, if not it might take few doses to appear, at any rate, if in doubt, take your first pill in the doctor's office and wait for an hour,  or take the first pill in any hospital er waiting room and wait for an hour,  in either place if an allergy reaction occurs, you're in the very place you want to be.

Question 3

treating a uti but i have an antibiotic allergy to sulfa?  what's another good antibiotic?

Accepted Answer

Ciprofloxacin: Ciprofloxacin and Macrobid are other good choices. It is best to have your physician decide since he knows your full history.

Question 4

can triple antibiotic ointment be used w sulfa allergy?

Accepted Answer

Triple trouble: I don't know of any cross-reactivity between sulfa and triple antibiotic ointments (combo of neomycin, polymyxin and bacitracin) however it is important to know that contact allergy to these antibiotics particularly neomycin is very common.

Question 5

my wife needs a tooth extraction. but she is allergic to penicillin, mycin and sulfa drugs. which antibiotic she may have ?

Accepted Answer

Erythromycin: The choice of antibiotic is up to the doctor performing the extraction if indeed an antibiotic is needed. Not all extractions require antibiotic therapy. Erythromycin is the Next Choice in an individual allergic to penicillin but you must discuss this with your doctor.

Question 6

i am allergic to septra (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) sulfa antibiotic , would i be allergic to  zinc sulfates as well that's in my vitamins?

Accepted Answer

No worries: The "sulfa" in antibiotics refers to the drugs called sulfonamides, such as suflamethoxazole, one of the drugs in Septra® or Bactrim®. The sulfur atom in these compounds is not the reason for allergy to them. To my knowledge, simple sulfur salts like sulfides, sulphates, etc don't trigger allergic reactions; and even if they did, I would not expect a cross reaction with sulfa drugs. No worries.

Question 7

what should a person allergic to sulfa based antibiotics be careful about? is there a comprehensive list of these antibiotics and is sulfur ok?

Accepted Answer

Sulfa is sulfa.: Sulfa antibiotics can cause severe reactions. These reactions can get started and continue to get worse even after the antibiotic is stopped; Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an example. Generally they are easily identified, having sulfa- as a prefix (such as sulfacetamide). Ask the pharmacist regarding oral antibiotics, but be careful with OTC ointments and eyedrops. Sulfur is not usually related.

Question 8

which antibiotics are not sulfa based?

Accepted Answer

Sulfa antibiotics: These days most antibiotics are not sulfa based.  For the record, it was a sulfa antibiotic that was the first antibiotic to be available, back in 1932.  Since then most antibiotics have not been sulfa-based.  The main oral one currently in use in the us is sulfamethoxizole, commonly trade named bactrim, (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) and is compounded with trimethoprim. There are also some eye drops that are sulfa-based.

Question 9

are either cefuroxime or novalgin sulfa based medications? if i'm allergic to amoxicillin would either of these cause problems?

Accepted Answer

Allergy: Neither of those compounds are sulfa based.  Patients with allergy to penicillin derivatives are said to have up to a 5% incidence of reactions to cephalosporins, although whether that is direct cross allergenicity is in question. Don't know what problems you are referring to.

Question 10

3rd different antibiotic. first was sulfa based,  2nd was cipro now i'm on levofloxacin 500mg. does this med stand a better chance of killing bacteria?

Accepted Answer

That depends: on which specific bacteria are involved and what their sensitivities are.

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Doctor answers about:

Sulfa based antibiotics list

A member asked:

How to know if clindamycin (antibiotic) has any sulfa in it? i am allergic.

A member asked:

If i'd have an allergy to a sulfa antibiotic would i know that from the first pill ? or can it happen even after a few days ?

A member asked:

Treating a uti but i have an antibiotic allergy to sulfa? what's another good antibiotic?

A member asked:

Can triple antibiotic ointment be used w sulfa allergy?

A member asked:

My wife needs a tooth extraction. but she is allergic to penicillin, mycin and sulfa drugs. which antibiotic she may have ?

A member asked:

I am allergic to septra (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) sulfa antibiotic , would i be allergic to zinc sulfates as well that's in my vitamins?

A member asked:

What should a person allergic to sulfa based antibiotics be careful about? is there a comprehensive list of these antibiotics and is sulfur ok?

A member asked:

Which antibiotics are not sulfa based?

A member asked:

Are either cefuroxime or novalgin sulfa based medications? if i'm allergic to amoxicillin would either of these cause problems?

A member asked:

3rd different antibiotic. first was sulfa based, 2nd was cipro now i'm on levofloxacin 500mg. does this med stand a better chance of killing bacteria?

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