If you are allergic to sulfa would you be allergic to Tamiflu?

Answer 1

Many people can unless they have a severe sulfa drug allergy. Allergic reactions to the flu vaccines are very rare.

The amount of antibacterial agents left in flu vaccines from their being treated to prevent bacterial growth are only traces. Although, it is best to check with your doctor before getting a flu vaccination if you have a severe allergy to sulfonamides.

Some types of vaccines may be better than others for you. See the ingredient lists below. After speaking with your allergist or physician, if you still have any concerns, the clinician who will be giving you the injection can tell you if there is any potential problem from the vaccine they will be using, and they will not give it if there is any issue. You may want to call around after speaking to your doctor to find a location that has the brands of vaccines that do not contain sulfonamides. If you are getting the vaccination from your family doctor, just be sure to remind them of your allergy before they give it and they can monitor your reaction to the medication for a period after the vaccination to be sure there will be no need for treatment of a reaction. If you have a severe allergic reaction to sulfa drugs, then you should not take those vaccines containing sulfonamides.

The sulfonamide antibiotics used in the preparation of the flu vaccines are typically neomycin sulfate, gentamicin sulfate, and polymyxin. Two of the vaccines are available without these drugs: Fluzone and Flulaval.

The ingredients of each type of flu vaccine currently available in the US for the 2012 - 2013 flu season are:

Flulaval:

Thimerosal, α-tocopheryl hydrogen succinate, polysorbate 80, formaldehyde, sodium deoxycholate, ovalbumin

Fluzone: Standard, High-Dose, & Intradermal:

Formaldehyde, octylphenol ethoxylate (Triton X-100), sodium phosphate, Gelatin (standard formulation only), thimerosal (multi-dose vial only) , egg protein

Afluria:

Beta-propiolactone, thimerosol (multi-dose vials only), monobasic sodium phosphate, dibasic sodium phosphate, monobasic potassium phosphate, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium taurodeoxycholate, neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B, egg protein

Fluarix:

Sodium deoxycholate, formaldehyde, octoxynol-10 (Triton X-100), α-tocopheryl hydrogen succinate, polysorbate 80 (Tween 80), hydrocortisone, gentamicin sulfate, ovalbumin

Fluvirin:

Nonylphenol ethoxylate, thimerosal (multidose vial-trace only in prefilled syringe), polymyxin, neomycin, beta-propiolactone, egg proteins

FluMist:

Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed porcine gelatin, arginine, sucrose, dibasic potassium phosphate, monobasic potassium phosphate, gentamicin sulfate, egg protein

See the related question below about flu vaccines and egg Allergies.

Answer 2

No because there is no sulfa in tamiflu my daughter is severly alleric to sulfur is she takes tamiflu hope that helps