Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 22, Issue 45, 2016

Our knowledge of genetic predisposing factors of drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) is still scarce. The analysis of the genetic basis of these reactions may contribute to dissect the underlying mechanisms. We will outline current knowledge of the genetic predictors of most common DHRs, including reactions to betalactam antibiotics (BLs), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and biological agents. The predictors Read More

Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are adverse drug reactions that may be divided into several categories; namely pharmacologic intolerance, idiosyncratic reactions, pseudo-allergic reactions and allergic reactions. Drug allergic reactions are those DHRs that are mediated by either antibodies or drug-specific T cells. They vary in terms of severity, time-to-onset of clinical manifestations and target organ. Skin is most Read More

Drug hypersensitivity reactions result from the activation of the immune system by drugs or their metabolites. The clinical presentations of drug hypersensitivity can range from relatively mild local manifestations to severe systemic syndromes that can be lifethreatening. As in other allergic reactions, the causes are multifactorial as genetic, metabolic and concomitant factors may influence the occurrence of drug hypersensi Read More

Allergic drug reactions are currently a major public health problem affecting patient health and increasing healthcare costs. They are caused by interactions between a drug and the human immune system and result in symptoms ranging from urticaria or angioedema to those more serious such as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. The most commonly accepted mechanism for immunological activation is based on the hapt Read More

The diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHR) is complex, with many potential pitfalls. Although the use of clinical history and skin testing can be valuable, drug provocation testing (DPT) remains the gold standard for many DHR. However, DPT carries some potential risk and should not be performed for severe reactions. There is therefore a general consensus on the need to improve in vitro tests to achieve safe and acc Read More

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the leading causes of hypersensitivity reactions to drugs, and they are classified in two groups: those induced by nonspecific immunological mechanisms (non-allergic or cross-intolerance (CI) reactions), or by specific immunological mechanisms (allergic or selective reactions (SR)). The pathogenesis of CI is associated with their pharmacological activity (COX-1 inhibiti Read More

Hypersensitivity reactions to β-lactam antibiotics are commonly reported. They can be classified as immediate or non-immediate according to the time interval between the last drug administration and their onset. Immediate reactions occur within one hour after the last drug administration and are manifested clinically by urticaria and/or angioedema, rhinitis, bronchospasm, and anaphylactic shock; they may be mediated by Read More

Perioperative hypersensitivity reactions are rare, often life-threatening events, and subsequent investigations to identify the culprit are important to avoid re-exposure. All exposures in the perioperative setting may potentially be the cause of a hypersensitivity reaction, but drugs administered intravenously such as neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA), induction agents and antibiotics have traditionally been reported to be im Read More

Systemic hypersensitivity (HS) to corticosteroids (CS) is paradoxical but does exist. Some patients with a previous contact allergy to topical CS may develop a systemic contact dermatitis (SCD) while receiving CS orally or intravenously. However, a previous contact sensitization is not mandatory for developing a systemic HS to CS. Acute or delayed urticaria can occur in immediate HS. Immediate HS can be due to excipients, main Read More

Suspicion for drug hypersensitivity (DH) is a common reason for children’s referral to an allergy department, with β-lactam antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as the most frequently involved drugs. The prevalence of DH in children remains not well defined as epidemiologic studies in children are lacking, and the most of those take into account adverse drug reactions (ADR) without a systematic Read More

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) are known for a high morbidity and mortality. They may be life-threatening for the affected patient and difficult to accomplish for the patient’s family and the treating physician. Such conditions include not only bullous reactions like toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), but also acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) and drug reaction wi Read More

Mastocytosis is a clonal disease characterized by proliferation and accumulation of mast cells (MC) in different tissues, preferentially skin and bone marrow, leading to a wide variety of clinical manifestations, mainly caused by the inappropriate release of MC mediators. As a consequence, patients with mastocytosis may experience symptoms due to massive MC activation and release of mediators. Anaphylaxis is the most f Read More

Chemotherapies drugs and monoclonal antibodies are key components of the treatment of cancer patients and patients with chronic inflammatory conditions to provide increase in life expectancy and quality of life. Their increased use has lead to an increase in drugs hypersensitivity reactions (DHR) worldwide. DHR to those agents prevented their use and promoted the use of second line therapies to protect patients’ hypersens Read More