Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon and may permit overgrowth of clostridia. After the diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis has been established, therapeutic measures should be initiated. Mild cases of pseudomembranous colitis usually respond to drug discontinuation alone. In moderate to severe cases, consideration should be given to management with fluids and electrolytes, protein supplementation, and treatment with an antibacterial drug effective against C. difficile. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low.
Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic people.
Contains benzyl alcohol. In newborn infants, benzyl alcohol has been associated with an increased incidence of neurological and other complications which are sometimes fatal. If these occur, the infusion should be discontinued and restarted at another site. In those concurrently receiving certain diuretics, primarily thiazides, an increased incidence of thrombocytopenia with purpura has been reported. Urinalyses with careful microscopic examination and renal function tests should be performed during therapy, particularly for those patients with impaired renal function.