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Can Trimethoprim Sulfate And Polymyxin B Sulfate Be Used When Allergic To Sulfa?

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Posted on Sat, 5 Nov 2016
Question: I have the worse "Pink Eye" ever - so Nurse Practitioner put me on Trimethoprim Sulfate with Polymyxin B Sulfate Eye Drops 4 Xs Day plus Erythromycin 0.5% Ointment 4 xs Day. I've been doing that for 24 hours now and I can't believe how RED my Eye is looking !!! There is no more green discharge coming out of my eye socket (that's good), but there also is no more white color showing on my eye - it's just totally red like a Beef Steak ! I'm very allergic to Oral Sulpha Drugs (break out all over in an itchy body rash), but the Pharmacist assured me that when they say "Sulfate" in an eye drop that they are not referring to Sulpha Drugs. What do you think ?
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Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Sulfates are different from Sulfonamide (called sulfa) drugs.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for using HCM to post your question.

I read it carefully and I understand your concern.

It is very confusing in general and your question it is very legitimate.

The allergy you have it is from Sulfonamides and not from sulfates. The allergy from sulfates is very rare, and if you start having other symptoms that suggest an allergy then you can say you are allergic from sulfates too. But as I said, it is very rare.

The redness in your it is from the infection. Keep taking the treatment. The fact that you are feeling better means that the treatment is working.

Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please kindly close and rate the answer.

Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
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Answered by
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Dr. Klarida Papaqako

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1804 Questions

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Can Trimethoprim Sulfate And Polymyxin B Sulfate Be Used When Allergic To Sulfa?

Brief Answer: Sulfates are different from Sulfonamide (called sulfa) drugs. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for using HCM to post your question. I read it carefully and I understand your concern. It is very confusing in general and your question it is very legitimate. The allergy you have it is from Sulfonamides and not from sulfates. The allergy from sulfates is very rare, and if you start having other symptoms that suggest an allergy then you can say you are allergic from sulfates too. But as I said, it is very rare. The redness in your it is from the infection. Keep taking the treatment. The fact that you are feeling better means that the treatment is working. Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please kindly close and rate the answer. Regards, Dr.Papaqako