Update on sensitivity to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Full Abstract

Non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most frequently prescribed medications worldwide. These drugs are effective for the treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases: musculoskeletal disorders, headhache, fever, pain, and others. Their widespread use explains the very high incidence of intolerance; reactions range from asthma, rhinitis, to urticaria/angioedema, various skin eruptions and anaphylactic shock. The pathogenesis of intolerance is still unclear: immune-mediated reactions have been reported following the use of pyrazolone derivatives and, less commonly aspirin, anthranilic-acid derivatives and diclofenac. It has been suggested that NSAIDs may induce pseudoallergic reactions, while in case of bronchial asthma the inhibition of cyclooxigenase by NSAIDs has been proposed as a pathogenetic mechanism. The diagnosis of NSAIDs sensitivity can usually be established by history; in fact skin prick tests with NSAIDs have not been successful and no reliable in vitro tests are available. The only definitive diagnostic test is oral test dosing. To identify an alternative NSAIDs in a sensitive patient a tolerance test is performed. Here we review the current state of knowledge concerning NSAIDs sensitivity, including personal data to increase awareness on this issue.

Author information

Author/s: Nettis, E (E); Colanardi, M C (MC); Ferrannini, A (A); Tursi, A (A);

Affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Bari, Italy. e.nettis(-atsign-)allergy.uniba.it

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Current drug targets. Immune, endocrine and metabolic disorders (Curr Drug Targets Immune Endocr Metabol Disord), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2001-Nov; vol 1 (issue 3) : pp 233-40

Dates: Created 2002/12/12; Completed 2002/12/23; Revised 2005/11/16;

PMID: 12477289, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.