Classification of Reactions to Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs

• Published in: Immunology and allergy clinics of North America Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 135 - 145
• Main Authors: Kowalski, Marek L., MD, PhD, Stevenson, Donald D., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-05-2013
• Subjects: Adverse effects; Allergy and Immunology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - history; Aspirin; Aspirin - adverse effects; Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD); Drug Hypersensitivity - diagnosis; Drug Hypersensitivity - immunology; History, 20th Century; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs; Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD); Aspirin; Adverse effects; Hypersensitivity; Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
• ISSN: 0889-8561; 1557-8607
• DOI: 10.1016/j.iac.2012.10.008

Hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs may occur in susceptible individuals and vary in symptom (skin, respiratory tract, and solid organs), severity (from mild skin or respiratory reactions to severe generalized) and timing (from acute to delayed). The current classification of NSAID-induced reactions emerged with the understanding of the pathologic mechanism of reactions to NSAIDs which may be either non-allergic (related to cyclooxygenase inhibition) or immunologically mediated. In this chapter we discuss the implications of accurate NSAIDs hypersensitivity classification for proper diagnosis and patient management.