BACKGROUND:Etoricoxib is a novel cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitor. Until now, there has not been information in the literature about its tolerability in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). OBJECTIVE: To determine the short-term tolerability of etoricoxib in patients with a history of cutaneous adverse reactions to NSAIDs. METHODS: Single-blind challenge testing was performed on 2 different days using placebo (talc) and etoricoxib. On the first day, 2 placebo capsules were administered 1 hour apart; 7 days later, each patient received divided doses of the total therapeutic dose of 90 mg of etoricoxib: 22.5 mg initially and 67.5 mg 1 hour later if no reactive symptoms were noted. RESULTS: Of 141 patients who underwent challenge testing withetoricoxib, only 2 (1.4%) had positive test results; both developed wheals on the extremities. These 2 patients were treated with chlorpheniramine maleate (10 mg intravenously), and the symptoms completely resolved within 2 hours. None of the patients experienced adverse reactions to the placebo challenge. CONCLUSION: The low rate of adverse reactions to etoricoxib, tested by oral challenge, suggests that patients with previous cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs (primarily urticaria and angioedema) may tolerate this drug.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Etoricoxib is a novel cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitor. Until now, there has not been information in the literature about its tolerability in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). OBJECTIVE: To determine the short-term tolerability of etoricoxib in patients with a history of cutaneous adverse reactions to NSAIDs. METHODS: Single-blind challenge testing was performed on 2 different days using placebo (talc) and etoricoxib. On the first day, 2 placebo capsules were administered 1 hour apart; 7 days later, each patient received divided doses of the total therapeutic dose of 90 mg of etoricoxib: 22.5 mg initially and 67.5 mg 1 hour later if no reactive symptoms were noted. RESULTS: Of 141 patients who underwent challenge testing with etoricoxib, only 2 (1.4%) had positive test results; both developed wheals on the extremities. These 2 patients were treated with chlorpheniramine maleate (10 mg intravenously), and the symptoms completely resolved within 2 hours. None of the patients experienced adverse reactions to the placebo challenge. CONCLUSION: The low rate of adverse reactions to etoricoxib, tested by oral challenge, suggests that patients with previous cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs (primarily urticaria and angioedema) may tolerate this drug.