Aspirin and paracetamol tolerance in patients with nimesulide-induced urticaria.

BACKGROUND

The administration of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients sensitive to nimesulide might be hazardous.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the tolerance to both acetaminophen (paracetamol) and aspirin in patients with a history of urticaria induced by nimesulide.

METHODS

Nine patients with a history of nimesulide intolerance were submitted to single-blind, placebo-controlled peroral challenges with increasing doses of acetaminophen and aspirin.

RESULTS

Acetaminophen was tolerated by all patients, whereas two experienced immediate systemic urticaria after the administration of 125 mg of aspirin.

CONCLUSION

Acetaminophen and aspirin are well tolerated by most nimesulide-sensitive patients. Since a minority of patients show aspirin sensitivity, tolerance of this agent should always be ascertained by properly performed peroral challenges.