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Benzydamine: an alternative nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug in patients with nimesulide‐induced urticaria

2002; Wiley; Volume: 57; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1034/j.1398-9995.2002.13325.x

1398-9995

Eustachio Nettis, Roberto Di Paola, Giancarlo Napoli, A. Ferrannini, A. Tursi,

Inflammatory mediators and NSAID effects

Background: Cutaneous adverse reactions to nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), in particular urticaria/angiedema syndrome, represent a frequent problem in clinical practice. To date laboratory tests for the diagnosis of these adverse reactions are not available. A patient with an adverse drug reaction to NSAIDs needs an alternative drug to assume if necessary. Nimesulide is a highly prescribed nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) world‐wide. It is also described as one of the most tolerated NSAID. In this paper we present data on the tolerability of benzydamine in nimesulide‐sensitive patients. Patients and methods: One hundred and thirty‐seven patients with nimesulide‐induced urticaria were submitted to a single‐blind, placebo‐controlled peroral challenge with increasing doses of benzydamine. Results: One hundred and thirty‐four out of 137 (98%) patients tolerated benzydamine without adverse effects, only three (2%) experienced immediate systemic urticaria (1 at the first dose and 2 at the second dose). Conclusion: Benzydamine is a well tolerated drug in patients with nimesulide‐induced urticaria and it may represent a valid alternative NSAID in nimesulide‐sensitive patients.