Which of the following medications is contraindicated in patients with allergy to sulphonamides –
First, the core concept here is cross-reactivity between sulphonamides and other drugs. Sulphonamides are a class of antibiotics, and some drugs have similar chemical structures that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The key is identifying which drugs are chemically related to sulphonamides.
The correct answer is likely a drug that contains a sulfonamide group. Common examples include certain diuretics like thiazides and loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide), but wait, those are sulfonamides themselves. However, the question is about contraindication due to allergy. Another category is sulfonylureas, which are used in diabetes. Also, some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might have sulfonamide groups. For example, celecoxib has a sulfonamide moiety. So if a patient is allergic to sulphonamides, celecoxib would be contraindicated.
Now, the wrong options would be other medications that don't have the sulfonamide group. For example, metformin (a biguanide), enalapril (an ACE inhibitor), or metoprolol (a beta-blocker). These don't contain sulfonamides and thus aren't contraindicated in sulphonamide allergy.
The clinical pearl here is that sulfonamide allergy can cross-react with certain drugs like sulfonamide antibiotics, thiazides, loop diuretics, and some NSAIDs. Students should remember that not all drugs with "sulfo-" are the same; for example, sulfonylureas (like glyburide) are contraindicated, but others like metformin are safe.
I need to structure this into the required sections. Make sure to mention the core concept, explain why the correct answer is right (celecoxib's sulfonamide group), why the others are wrong, and the clinical pearl. Also, end with the correct answer line. Check the formatting rules: bold sections, no markdown headings, use ** for bold. Keep each section concise to stay within the character limit.
**Core Concept**
Sulphonamide allergy involves IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to the sulfonamide chemical group. Cross-reactivity occurs with drugs sharing this structure, such as sulfonamide antibiotics, thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, and certain NSAIDs like celecoxib.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, contains a sulfonamide moiety. Patients with sulphonamide allergy may experience cross-reactive hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., rash, anaphylaxis) due to shared antigenic determinants. This structural similarity leads to immune system recognition and activation in sensitized individuals.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Metformin (biguanide class) lacks a sulfonamide group and is safe in sulphonamide allergy.
**Option B:** Enalapril (ACE inhibitor) has no sulfonamide structure; cross-reactivity is not a concern.
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