Why Is Sulfa Prescribed For Pain Management Instead Of Sulfur?

Posted on Wed, 24 Aug 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 24 Aug 2016 Answered on

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Why would a pain doctor prescribed sulfa instead of sulfur for a patient?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Depends on indication

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
Sulpha medications are not used for pain directly. These are antibiotics which are used for infection treatment. Sulphur is something else,this is not medicine at all,this is chemical elements which is found in some medications. So you shouls ask your doctor why sulfa was prescribed exactly. Wish you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (2 hours later)

I was taking Zionisamide for fibromyalgia, had a horrible allergic reaction my doctor says she prescribed this med for pain, I also take trazadone for insomnia & pain for 14 yrs, just found out trazadone is also sulfa drug so why did I have allergic reaction to zonisamide which is also sulfa drug? Could the 2 drugs interacted and cause my body to react as if I had an infection. Bleeding in throat and earache,burning eyes.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Possible interaction

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

It is most likely to be allergic reaction to zonisamide which is sulfa medication but it may be allergy to other ingredients of zonisamide, besides the sulpha part.

It is less likely to be interaction with trazadone. People may have allergic reactions to one sulfa drug but not to another. So you can continue with trazadone but zonisamide should be discontinued.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee