- With Mayo Clinic asthma and allergy specialist
James T. Li, M.D.
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James T. Li, M.D.
James T. Li, M.D.
"People with allergy or asthma can lead full and healthy lives." — Dr. James Li
Dr. Li is chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine and a board-certified asthma and allergy specialist. He hopes his expertise and the information on the site educates health care consumers in an area of rapid change both in medications and diagnoses.
"There are a lot of misperceptions about allergy and asthma," says Dr. Li, a New York City native who has been with Mayo since 1985 and works with a group of subspecialists in allergy, asthma and immunology. "I believe it's important to provide truthful, accurate information about allergy and asthma to the public. The more people know, the better they can take care of these conditions."
Dr. Li is a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He is a past director of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He is a fellow in the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology honored him with the Distinguished Service Award and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology with its Special Recognition Award.
Symptoms (1)
- Aspirin allergy: What are the symptoms?
Causes (2)
- Sulfa allergy: Which medications should I avoid?
- Sun allergy: Can I be allergic to sunshine?
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Question
Sulfa allergy: Which medications should I avoid?
I have sulfa allergy. How can I tell if a medicine contains sulfa? Should I simply avoid those with ingredients that have the prefix "sul" or "sulfa"?
Answer
from James T. Li, M.D.
Avoiding only medications with the prefix "sul" or even "sulfa" is not a good rule of thumb if you have a sulfa allergy.
The term "sulfa allergy" is most often used to describe an adverse drug reaction to antibiotics that contain sulfonamides. Generic names or brand names of medications that contain sulfonamides may not start with "sul" or "sulfa." Examples of antibiotics containing sulfonamides include:
- Sulfamethoxazole
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Septra, Bactrim)
- Erythromycin-sulfisoxazole
These two medications are closely related to sulfonamides and should be avoided by people with sulfonamide allergy:
- Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), used to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Dapsone, used to treat leprosy, dermatitis and certain types of pneumonia
There are also a number of other medications related to sulfonamides. Although the medications noted below are probably safe for you to take if you have a sulfa allergy, you should first check with your doctor. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Certain "water pills" (diuretics), such as furosemide (Lasix) and hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
- Medications for diabetes, such as glyburide (Glynase, Diabeta, Micronase) and glimepiride (Amaryl)
- Some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as celecoxib (Celebrex)
- The migraine medication sumatriptan (Imitrex)
If you have HIV/AIDS, you may be more sensitive to sulfonamides or medications similar to sulfonamides. Sulfites and sulfates used to preserve foods are unlikely to cause adverse effects in people with a sulfa allergy.
Next questionSun allergy: Can I be allergic to sunshine?
- Montanaro A. Allergies to sulfonamide antibiotics and related drugs. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 18, 2008.
- Ponka D. Approach to managing patients with sulfa allergy: Use of antibiotic and nonantibiotic sulfonamides. Canadian Family Physician. 2006;52:1434.
