[Hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): short update]

Hypersensitivity reactions to aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a challenge to the clinicians, due to their severity. In susceptible individuals, NSAIDs induce a wide spectrum of reactions with various timing and organ manifestations, involving immunological and non-immunological mechanisms. Diagnosis of hypersensitivity to NSAID is based on characteristic symptoms precipitated with ASA/NSAIDs. Oral challenge with NSAID is the "gold standard" for the diagnosis and can be performed in order to confirm hypersensitivity to the culprit drug or to confirm or exclude tolerance to an alternative drug. Diagnosis process includes understanding of the underlying mechanism, and is mandatory for prevention of future events.