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If I am allergic to sulfa drugs, is the Sponge safe to use?

Sent to Health Experts October 20, 2007 2:46 p.m.

If I have an allergy to sulfa drugs*, is it safe to use the sponge with nonoxyl-9 spermacide containing metabisulfite? An excerpt from Today Sponge website: "Although the amount of metabisulfite in the Today® Sponge is very small, if either partner is allergic to sulfa drugs, we recommend that he or she consult a healthcare professional before using."

What is the extent of the risk, if any, in coming into contact with metabisulfite?

*I have only experienced drug allergies with Ceclor and penicillin. Not sure if they qualify as sulfa drugs. I remember having a rash on my face after receiving an injection of penicillin.

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on October 20 2007 at 3:04pm

Optional Information:
Female, Age: 21, United States

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $9

Answer
October 20, 2007 2:56 p.m. (10 minutes and 3 seconds later)

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Kerry -- Nurse (RN) -- 99% Positive Feedback on 3803 Health Accepts
35 years in Nursing: OB/GYN, Peds, Oncology, hospice, Ortho, Neuro, Addiction, Recovery, Geriatrics

Reply
Sent October 20, 2007 5:29 p.m. (2 hours and 32 minutes later)

I was in the middle of editing my question when you answered. I added some more details as to my history.

Additionally, I found some information on wikipedia about sulfa drugs: "It is important to make a distinction between sulfa drugs and other sulfur-containing drugs and additives, such as sulfates and sulfites, which are chemically unrelated to the sulfonamide group, and do not cause the same hypersensitivity reactions seen in the sulfonamides." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfa_drug

So, should I be concerned about metabi*sulfite* when it is supposedly unrelated to sulfonamides?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
October 20, 2007 5:37 p.m. (8 minutes and 38 seconds later)

ACCEPTED

Yes, in this case I would. Only because it is on the package insert. If it wasn't, I'd go with the Wikipedia advice.

Penicillin and ceclor are not sulfa drugs.

kerry

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Kerry -- Nurse (RN) -- 99% Positive Feedback on 3803 Health Accepts
35 years in Nursing: OB/GYN, Peds, Oncology, hospice, Ortho, Neuro, Addiction, Recovery, Geriatrics

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