[A case of asthma exacerbated by sulfite contained in betamethasone]

Adverse reactions to preservatives contained in food and medications have been recognized with increasing frequency. We have recently seen an asthmatic patient in whom wheezing and dyspnea increased after injection of betamethasone. The patient was a 26-year-old woman who had had bronchial asthma since 1980. She was treated at another hospital for moderate wheezing and betamethasone injections were given in May 1988. After this treatment her condition deteriorated acutely and she was transferred to our hospital. To confirm the possible relationship between betamethasone (sulfite) and asthmatic attack, provocation challenge tests were conducted. Intradermal skin test revealed an immediate positive reaction to sodium bisulfite at a concentration of 100 mg/L. Challenge test with increasing amounts of sodium bisulfite showed a 52% decrease in FEV1, 50 min after inhalation of 5 mg/ml solution. In addition, another inhalation challenge was conducted by use of an Astograph. Rrs immediately increased during inhalation of 10 mg/ml solution. These results suggested that sulfite contained in betamethasone preparation provoked exaggerated bronchospasm in this patient.