Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

If a patient experiences hives and swollen lips after taking Bactrim, what is the correct course of action regarding sulfonylureas?

1. She cannot take any pills in the sulfonylurea class

2. She can take some of the pills in the sulfonylurea class

3. She can take any of the pills in the sulfonylurea class

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: She cannot take any pills in the sulfonylurea class

When a patient experiences hives and swollen lips after taking a medication like Bactrim, it indicates a possible allergic reaction to the sulfonamide component in Bactrim. Sulfonylureas, a class of medications used to treat diabetes, also contain sulfonamide structures and share a similar chemical makeup with sulfonamides. Given this cross-reactivity, it is prudent to avoid prescribing any medications in the sulfonylurea class for this patient. To prevent potential allergic reactions and ensure the patient's safety, the best course of action is to avoid all pills in the sulfonylurea class altogether. This guideline is based on the understanding of pharmacological similarities and the risk of triggering an allergic response. The emphasis is thus on the safety concern raised by the prior reaction, rather than on the individual components or types of sulfonylureas, reinforcing the need for caution in the event of an allergic history linked to sulfonamide derivatives.