Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

10:22
Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity
Published on: September 16, 2011
35.1K
[Desensitization in drug hypersensitivity]
Summary
Drug hypersensitivity reactions can be managed with desensitization, allowing essential medications to be used. This process induces temporary tolerance, enabling patients to receive necessary treatments like aspirin when alternatives are unsuitable.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Allergy and Immunology
Context:
- Drug hypersensitivity reactions present a broad clinical spectrum, from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
- Patients often avoid causative drugs, but essential therapies may necessitate alternative management strategies.
- Drug desensitization is a viable option when effective alternatives are unavailable or ineffective.
Purpose:
- To describe the application and success of drug desensitization protocols.
- To highlight the management of hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) in clinical practice.
- To enable continued essential pharmacotherapy in patients with drug hypersensitivity.
Summary:
- Drug desensitization involves administering gradually increasing doses to induce temporary tolerance to a hypersensitivity-inducing substance.
- Protocols exist for various drug classes, including antibiotics, NSAIDs, and biologics.
- Acetylsalicylic acid hypersensitivity is a common indication for desensitization, enabling its use for cardiologic and rheumatologic conditions.
Impact:
- Facilitates the use of essential medications in hypersensitive patients, improving therapeutic outcomes.
- Provides a critical treatment option for individuals with limited or no alternative pharmacotherapies.
- Demonstrates successful desensitization in patients requiring aspirin for specific medical conditions.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions
209
Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial...
209
Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis
3.4K
Tachyphylaxis is described as a rapid decrease in response to a drug after repeated or continuous administration of the same drug dose. It is a phenomenon where the body becomes less responsive to a particular substance or intervention over time, requiring higher doses or stronger interventions to achieve the same effect. It results from adaptive changes in the body's receptors, signaling pathways, or physiological processes that occur in response to prolonged exposure to a stimulus.
3.4K
Allergic Drug Reactions
1.6K
Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing...
1.6K
Hypersensitivities
7.3K
Hypersensitivity, also known as a hypersensitivity reaction or allergic reaction, is a condition where the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Such substances, that cause hypersensitivity are referred to as an allergen, could be something typically harmless to most people, like pollen or certain foods.
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
7.3K
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions
359
Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH), or Type IV hypersensitivity, is a cell-mediated immune response. It occurs when T cells, rather than antibodies, mediate a reaction to specific antigens. It is characterized by a delayed onset (1-2 days) and involves the recruitment of macrophages to the inflammation site.The initiation of a DTH response begins with the sensitization of T cells. During this phase, which lasts at least 1-2 weeks, antigen-specific T cells are activated, clonally expanded, and...
359
GPCR Desensitization
6.1K
G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling plays a crucial role in cell functioning. GPCR desensitization is an equally essential process. It allows cells to respond to changing environments and regain sensitivity to new stimuli while preventing unnecessary stimulation when no longer needed. Prolonged exposure to stimuli leads to GPCR desensitization. It involves blocking the receptors from binding and activating additional G proteins. This inhibits activation of downstream effectors, thereby...
6.1K

