FDA Orders Warning Labels for Sulfite Drugs

Warning labels on the 1,100 prescription drugs containing sulfites will be required to protect 500,000 Americans who have allergic reactions to the chemicals, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

Drug companies will be required to state in warnings to doctors and pharmacists the type of sulfite preservative used in the medication and advise that it might cause allergic reactions, particularly severe asthma attacks, the FDA said.