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Published on: March 2, 2020
Hypersensitivity and anaphylactoid reactions to ciprofloxacin
R L Deamer1, J G Prichard, G J Loman
1Ventura County Medical Center, Office of Medical Education, CA 93003.
Objective:
To report three cases of life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions to the oral administration of ciprofloxacin.
Case Summary:
Life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions to oral ciprofloxacin, characterized by diffuse, erythematous, nonpruritic, blanching rash, with fever and hypotension, occurred in two HIV-infected patients. One of these reactions was considered anaphylactoid. A similar hypersensitivity reaction was documented in a non-HIV-infected patient.
Discussion:
Premarketing clinical trials described no reports of life-threatening anaphylactoid hypersensitivity reactions to ciprofloxacin. However, postmarketing surveillance studies have documented their occurrence. Seven cases of anaphylactoid reaction to ciprofloxacin have now been documented in HIV-infected patients.
Conclusions:
As with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, HIV-infected people treated with ciprofloxacin may be at special risk for hypersensitivity reactions.
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