Journal List > Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis > v.21(4) > 1033147

Park, Seo, Kim, Yu, and Hong: Four Cases of Drug Allergy Caused by Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Children

Abstract

Acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce the production of prostaglandin by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX), are widely used in children as antipyretic, analgesic, or anti-inflammatory drugs. They are known to be a major cause of pediatric drug allergies, which are diagnosed by a drug provocation test. The mechanism comprises an immunoglobulin E- or T cell-mediated immune reaction or pseudoallergy caused by the inhibition of COX-1. The diagnosis of NSAIDs drug allergy requires a differential, because there is a high cross-reactivity between NSAIDs. In this study, oral provocation tests with ibuprofen, acetaminophen, diclofenac and celecoxib were carried out, and various types of NSAIDs and acetaminophen allergies were observed. Safe drugs were recommended for each patient according to the test results. We report four cases of NSAIDs and acetaminophen allergy and include the results of oral provocation tests.

References

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Fig. 1.
The figures show urticaria after oral provocation test of acetaminophen on the face (A), back (B) and neck (C).
pard-21-344f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Urticaria on the leg (A) and swollen fingers (B) after acetaminophen provocation test, urticaria on bottom after ibuprofen provocation test (C).
pard-21-344f2.tif
Table 1.
Results of Drug Allergy Tests in Four Cases
  Case 1 Case 2 Case 3 Case 4
Allergic disease Allergic rhinitis Allergic rhinitis Chronic urticaria Allergic rhinitis Chronic urticaria
Skin test 1. Acetaminophen 1. Acetaminophen 1. Diclofenac No test
  :negative   :negative   : negative  
2. Ibuprofen 2. Ibuprofen 2. Ibuprofen  
  :negative   :negative   : negative  
Provocation test 1.Acetaminophen 1. Acetaminophen 1. Ibuprofen 1. Acetaminophen
  :positive   :positive   : positive   :positive
2. Ibuprofen 2. Ibuprofen 2. Diclofenac 2. Ibuprofen
  :negative   :positive   :negative   :positive
  3. Celecoxib   3. Celecoxib
    :negative     :negative
Diagnosis Acetaminophen allergy NSAIDs pseudoallergy Ibuprofen allergy NSAIDs pseudoallergy
Alternative drug Ibuprofen Celecoxib Acetaminophen Celecoxib
      Diclofenac  

NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

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