Serum sickness-like syndrome associated with propranolol therapy

A serum sickness-like syndrome developed in a 38-year-old woman with a history of drug allergy who had been taking propranolol hydrochloride (Inderal) for four days. The illness resolved after the drug was withdrawn and a course of prednisone therapy was given. We recommend caution to physicians in prescribing propranolol or other beta-adrenergic blocking agents for patients with a history of allergic reactions to drugs. Also, all patients using beta-blocking agents should be cautioned that although serum sickness-like syndrome is rare, it requires immediate medical attention.