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Etoricoxib Tolerability in Patients with Hypersensitivity to Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

2007; Karger Publishers; Volume: 143; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1159/000098658

1423-0097

Marinella Viola, Donato Quaratino, Francesco Gaeta, Cristiano Caruso, Rocco Luigi Valluzzi, Antonino Romano,

Inflammatory mediators and NSAID effects

<i>Background:</i> Adverse reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly observed, particularly among patients with chronic urticaria or asthma. The identification of a safe and reliable alternative is a frequent problem in clinical practice. Our aim was to investigate the clinical tolerability of etoricoxib, a new selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, in a group of patients with well-established NSAID hypersensitivity. <i>Methods:</i> We assessed 31 adults (21 women and 10 men) who reported one or more adverse reactions to NSAIDs, manifested as cutaneous, respiratory or anaphylactic symptoms. Sixteen of them reported reactions to a single NSAID (single reactors) and 15 to more than one NSAID (multiple reactors); the most frequently involved drug was acetylsalicylic acid. First, each patient underwent allergologic tests (skin and/or oral challenge tests) with culprit NSAIDs and then tolerability tests with increasing doses of etoricoxib up to 120 mg. All challenges were performed under single-blind, placebo-controlled conditions. <i>Results:</i> NSAID hypersensitivity was diagnosed in all 31 patients: 3 displayed positive results to pyrazolone skin tests and the other 28 to challenges with culprit NSAIDs. None reacted to either placebos or etoricoxib. <i>Conclusions:</i> Etoricoxib seems to be a safe alternative for patients with well-demonstrated NSAID hypersensitivity.