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Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity
Published on: September 16, 2011
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug hypersensitivity: not always an allergy!
M A W Hermans1, R Otten, A F Karim
1Department of Internal Medicine, section Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a major cause of hypersensitivity reactions. Several distinct clinical syndromes are described regarding NSAID hypersensitivity. Such a reaction is generally caused by a non-immunological mechanism. In susceptible patients, COX-1 inhibition leads to an imbalance in lipid mediators such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins. It is essential to distinguish multiple nonspecific NSAID hypersensitivity from single NSAID hypersensitivity, since the management of these respective syndromes is essentially different. This review provides an overview on all the aspects of NSAID hypersensitivity reactions, from pathophysiology to clinical symptoms, leading practical recommendations.
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