M B Levy1, J N Fink. 1. Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53201, USA. mlevy@chw.org
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adverse reactions such as urticaria, angioedema, asthma, and anaphylaxis are known to be associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). Celecoxib (Pfizer/Searle, Caguas, PR) is a new NSAID that differs in structure and mechanism of action of other similar drugs of this class. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of a case of anaphylaxis to celecoxib (Celebrex). METHODS AND RESULTS: This report describes a 55-year-old woman who experienced the acute onset of pruritus, urticaria, respiratory distress, and hypotension minutes after ingesting a celecoxib capsule. She had taken the drug a previous time for tendonitis without difficulty. Treatment with epinephrine, corticosteroids, and intravenous fluids was successful. An IgE mechanism could not be detected. She has avoided the drug and has had no further problems. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first patient report of anaphylaxis attributable to celecoxib, a new NSAID. This suggests that physicians and other health care professionals should be aware of the potential serious side effects of this drug.
BACKGROUND: Adverse reactions such as urticaria, angioedema, asthma, and anaphylaxis are known to be associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). Celecoxib (Pfizer/Searle, Caguas, PR) is a new NSAID that differs in structure and mechanism of action of other similar drugs of this class. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of a case of anaphylaxis to celecoxib (Celebrex). METHODS AND RESULTS: This report describes a 55-year-old woman who experienced the acute onset of pruritus, urticaria, respiratory distress, and hypotension minutes after ingesting a celecoxib capsule. She had taken the drug a previous time for tendonitis without difficulty. Treatment with epinephrine, corticosteroids, and intravenous fluids was successful. An IgE mechanism could not be detected. She has avoided the drug and has had no further problems. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first patient report of anaphylaxis attributable to celecoxib, a new NSAID. This suggests that physicians and other health care professionals should be aware of the potential serious side effects of this drug.