The pharmicist called my Doctor and had my prescription of albuterol changed for the Proair albuterol sulfate inhaler becuase they did not have the regular albuterol inhaler in stock. I didnt realize untill i got home that sulfate was part of the name on the inhaler and im allergic to medicines with sulfa. Is this sulfate in the
medication the same as sulfa? i wont be using the inhaler untill tomorrow after i talk to my pharmacist again but untill then im curious.
thanx
2006-12-19 13:39:00 · 3 answers · asked by enrique r 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
it's just a name, the active ingredient is Albuterol, a beta-2 agonist commonly given for asthma patients. Though any drug containing sulfur could cause an allergic reaction, what doctors are generally describing is a common array of antibacterials known as sulfonamides. I think you should be fine with the albuterol sulfate.
let us know what the pharmacist says, i'm curious personally =)
2006-12-19 23:05:59 · answer #1 · answered by unknowndoe 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Every form of albuterol that is inhaled is albuterol sulfate. If you've had albuterol before then you've already used the sulfate form. The sulfate part simply means that it is a sulfate salt, a form of the drug that can be dissolved and absorbed in the body more readily. It is impossible for a person to be allergic to sulfur, simply because many compounds necessary to sustain life contain it! A person can be allergic to sulfonamide drugs (like Bactrim, etc.) but not sulfur. More importantly you need to know the difference between a true allergy and a side effect. True allergies include the following rash or hives, anaphylaxis, throat swelling, SJS, etc. while side effects include stomach upset, 'feeling bad' etc. If you have a side effect that doesn't mean you can't take that drug or similar drugs again.
2006-12-20 02:14:45 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. Okram 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sulfa and sulfate sound alike but are completely different things. Your sulfa allergy has nothing to do with the sulfate salt of alkbuterol.
Consider this example: Greenberg, Goldberg, Iceberg.
Jewish attorneys (despite what Mel Gibson may think) didn't sink the Titanic.
2006-12-22 16:41:09 · answer #3 · answered by jloertscher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a pharmacist, but I did have to do a 10 page report on sulfur... I'm pretty sure that you'd be allergic to this medicine. Sulfa drugs are made from sulfur. So, I'm guessing your allergies has to do with sulfur. Sulfate is made from sulfur... So, I'd say definitely call your doctor or a pharmacist or something before taking it.
2006-12-19 13:52:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋