The Role of Tartrazine in Allergic Antihistamine Reactions

Like many other drugs, the antihistamines may be colored by various dyes which are allergenic (Lockey 1975). Tartrazine, the azo dye F. D. and C. Yellow No. 5 has been implicated as a cause of urticaria (Michaelsson and Juhlin 1973) and asthma (JuHLiN et al. 1972). 

Tartrazine is most likely to produce urticaria in patients with allergic hypersensitivity to aspirin and the salicylate drugs (Ros et al. 1976). It is, therefore, prudent to administer white antihistamines, free of dyes, to such aspirin-sensitive individuals. (The presence of color in a tablet or capsule does not necessarily imply that the F.D. and C. Yellow No. 5 is necessarily used in its manufacture, however, a white antihistamine is free of all dyes.) The antihistamines shown in Table 2 are free of all dyes. 

Marezine Promethazine (Purepac) Periactin Actidil Tavist Cyclizine hydrochloride Promethazine hydrochloride Cyproheptadine hydrochloride Triprolidine hydrochloride Clemastine fumarate 

Pyribenzamine Histadyl Fiogesic Pyma Atarax Vistaril (oral) Vistaril (intramuscular) Tripelennamine hydrochloride Methapyrilene hydrochloride Pyrilamine maleate I rilamine maleate Hydroxyzine hydrochloride Hydroxyzine pamoate Hydroxyzine hydrochloride 

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