RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Parecoxib is the first injectable cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitor indicated for the treatment of acute postoperative pain. OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of a challenge with parecoxib in patients with a history of urticaria or angioedema to 1 or more nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). METHODS: The study was performed from October 1, 2006, through March 31, 2007, with 79 patients who historically had experienced urticaria or angioedema after use of NSAIDs. The patients underwent a single-blind challenge with parecoxib, 40 mg. RESULTS: No reaction to placebo was observed in any patient. Similarly, no reaction to parecoxib was observed in any patients in the single-class or multiple-class intolerance group. CONCLUSION: Our report demonstrates that parecoxib does not induce cross-reactivity in patients with a history of urticaria or angioedema. Hence, this finding suggests that this drug could be safely proposed as an alternative (but only after a prior challenge) in patients with previous hypersensitive reactions to NSAIDs, even if there are added risk factors such as atopy and antimicrobial allergy, who require an analgesic drug perioperatively.
