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colours in medicines

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 5:39 pm
by neilvtaylor
I am an adult who was diagnosed with an allergy to aspirin and azo-benzoate food additives many years ago, after suffering a series of attacks with symptoms mainly urticaria on my face, my feet and other parts of my body. The numbers with my complaint are not huge, but the hospital consultant involved in the diagnosis had no trouble identifying my problem, and had available literature in his clinic to help me to understand. I have managed the allergy by taking regular anti-histamines, and I have not had a serious attack for 20 years.
I have recently had recourse to my doctor for other complaints, and needed antibiotics to treat infections. However, I was dismayed to be told by my doctor and my pharmacist that they were unable to source proprietary antibiotic medicines that did not contain colouring additives, like sunset yellow, that are azo-benzoates, and could potentially cause an allergic reaction, and I have a series of questions:.

Has anyone else reported the same problem?
Why do all medicines need to contain additives, especially colours?
Are the pharmaceutical firms aware that azo-benzoates do cause allergic reactions?

Neil Taylor

Re: colours in medicines

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:19 pm
by Jennywren
Dear Neil
I'm sorry you have this problem as it must be so very difficult for you especially with antibiotics. I don't understand why colouring is added either but my problem is most medications I take have lactose in as a filler and I can't consume dairy. Nothing compared to your problem. Surely injected antibiotics don't have colouring? But I suppose that means hospitalization or something to have them.

I hope you don't have a need to warrant antibiotics but few of us go through life without needing them at some point for more serious infections.

I wish you well and hope a source can be found for you and someone in this clinic can come up with something. It's about time drug companies realise these problems exist.

Jenny

Re: colours in medicines

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 4:38 pm
by Leanne Goh
Thank you for you post Neil,
A good first step would be to ask you GP to refer you back to the specialist who diagnosed your allergies - they should hopefully be able to advised you regarding suitable alternatives and if they are available.