sulfa drug allergy and sulfites

[Guest guest]

I had a recent patient with a known allergy to sulfa drugs who I

considered using patent herbs with (for an unrelated condition),

specifically Mayway Plum Flower Brand. But, I was not sure if the

allergy to Sulfa drugs would also lead to an allergy to sulfites. Any

thoughts?

 

I also know that Plum Flower brands purport to be preservative free,

but heard from someone that when herbs are harvested and then are not

going to be immediately used they are sometimes preserved and there

is no telling if certain batches might have herbs with sulfites or

not.

 

Two employees at Mayway were not able to answer my questions

confidently enough for me to take the risk.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Mike

[Guest guest]

Did I miss a response to this? BTW, I am allergic to sulfa drugs but have noticed no bad reaction to Chinese herbs (in 15 years). I found some info at:

http://www.uic.edu/pharmacy/services/di/sulfa.htm

Is there a difference between sulfa and sulfite allergies?

Sulfa drugs are more appropriately labeled sulfonamides and are derivatives of para-amino benzoic acid. A sulfonamide allergy is different from a sulfite allergy because sulfonamides and sulfites are distinctly different chemicals. A person allergic to sulfites is no more likely to be allergic to sulfonamides than any other individual.

 

chispot2001 <chispot wrote:

I had a recent patient with a known allergy to sulfa drugs who I considered using patent herbs with (for an unrelated condition), specifically Mayway Plum Flower Brand. But, I was not sure if the allergy to Sulfa drugs would also lead to an allergy to sulfites. Any thoughts?I also know that Plum Flower brands purport to be preservative free, but heard from someone that when herbs are harvested and then are not going to be immediately used they are sometimes preserved and there is no telling if certain batches might have herbs with sulfites or not. Two employees at Mayway were not able to answer my questions confidently enough for me to take the risk. Any thoughts?MikeChinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services, including board approved online continuing education.

[Guest guest]

, " chispot2001 " <chispot@e...>

wrote:

 

>

> I also know that Plum Flower brands purport to be preservative

free,

 

I have seen their herbs and they definitely are not sulfured

(which may have nothing to do with sulfites, anyway). You can

tell by the appearance. The quality is very good. I doubt they use

other preservatives, as the herbs would then appear preserved.

I have never heard of a verified sulfite reaction to chinese herbs.

If 1% of the population is sensitive to sulfites, we would have

heard something by now. However, I would like to see some

kind of documentation to support Mayway's claim. Even the

most reputable company needs outside scrutiny in matters such

as these.