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.
Rapidly induced hypertensive responses have been reported to cause acute pulmonary edema, arrhythmias, cerebral hemorrhage , or cardiac arrest. Patients with cirrhosis should be treated with caution, with adequate restoration of electrolytes if diuresis ensues. Fatal ventricular arrhythmia was reported in one patient with Laennec's cirrhosis while receiving metaraminol bitartrate. In several instances, ventricular extrasystoles that appeared during infusion of this vasopressor subsided promptly when the rate of infusion was reduced. If there is an excessive vasopressor response there may be a prolonged elevation of blood pressure even after discontinuation of therapy.