• E Nettis, R Di Paola, G Napoli, A Ferrannini, and A Tursi.
• Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
• Allergy. 2002 May 1; 57 (5): 442-5.

BackgroundCutaneous adverse reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), in particular urticaria/angiedema syndrome, represent a frequent problem in clinical practice. To date laboratory tests for the diagnosis of these adverse reactions are not available. A patient with an adverse drug reaction to NSAIDs needs an alternative drug to assume if necessary. Nimesulide is a highly prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) world-wide. It is also described as one of the most tolerated NSAID. In this paper we present data on the tolerability of benzydamine in nimesulide-sensitive patients.Patients And MethodsOne hundred and thirty-seven patients with nimesulide-induced urticaria were submitted to a single-blind, placebo-controlled peroral challenge with increasing doses of benzydamine.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-four out of 137 (98%) patients tolerated benzydamine without adverse effects, only three (2%) experienced immediate systemic urticaria (1 at the first dose and 2 at the second dose).ConclusionBenzydamine is a well tolerated drug in patients with nimesulide-induced urticaria and it may represent a valid alternative NSAID in nimesulide-sensitive patients.

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