Biomaterial Database

Tartrazine: a potentially hazardous dye in Canadian drugs. 1982

M E MacCara

The literature was reviewed to determine the incidence of idiosyncratic reactions to tartrazine. From 4% to 14% of individuals with asthma or allergies or both and from 7% to 20% of persons who are sensitive to acetylsalicylic acid may react to this dye. The mechanism of such reactions is unknown. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors were surveyed and a list was prepared of approximately 450 Canadian pharmaceuticals that contain tartrazine. The 53 pharmaceutical and manufacturers and distributors whose drug products do not contain this dye were also listed. It is recommended that information concerning the tartrazine content of drugs be included on package labels.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002170	Canada	The largest country in North America, comprising 10 provinces and three territories. Its capital is Ottawa.
D004342	Drug Hypersensitivity	Immunologically mediated adverse reactions to medicinal substances used legally or illegally.	Allergy, Drug,Hypersensitivity, Drug,Drug Allergy,Allergies, Drug,Drug Allergies,Drug Hypersensitivities,Hypersensitivities, Drug
D005505	Food Coloring Agents	Natural or synthetic dyes used as coloring agents in processed foods.	Coloring Agents, Food,Food Colorants,Agents, Food Coloring,Colorants, Food
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001241	Aspirin	The prototypical analgesic used in the treatment of mild to moderate pain. It has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties and acts as an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase which results in the inhibition of the biosynthesis of prostaglandins. Aspirin also inhibits platelet aggregation and is used in the prevention of arterial and venous thrombosis. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p5)	Acetylsalicylic Acid,2-(Acetyloxy)benzoic Acid,Acetysal,Acylpyrin,Aloxiprimum,Colfarit,Dispril,Easprin,Ecotrin,Endosprin,Magnecyl,Micristin,Polopirin,Polopiryna,Solprin,Solupsan,Zorprin,Acid, Acetylsalicylic
D001249	Asthma	A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL).	Asthma, Bronchial,Bronchial Asthma,Asthmas
D001391	Azo Compounds	Organic chemicals where aryl or alkyl groups are joined by two nitrogen atoms through a double bond (R-N	Azo Dye,Azo Dyes,Compounds, Azo,Dye, Azo,Dyes, Azo
D013645	Tartrazine	An anionic, hydrophilic azo dye with an orange-yellow color used in fabrics, foods and cosmetics, and as a biological stain.	FD & C Yellow No. 5,FD&C Yellow No. 5,Tartrazine Barium,Tartrazine Barium (2:3),Barium, Tartrazine