title: Nimesulide in the treatment of patients intolerant of aspirin and other NSAIDs.
abstract: Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and other NSAIDs are responsible for many adverse effects. Among them, pseudo-allergic reactions (urticaria/angioedema, asthma, anaphylaxis) affect up to 9% of the population and up to 30% of asthmatic patients. The mechanisms provoking these reactions have not been fully elucidated, but it appears that inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) plays a central role. The anti-inflammatory action of nimesulide differs from that of other NSAIDs, possibly because of its chemical structure. In particular, nimesulide is selective for COX-2 and displays additional properties in terms of its effects on inflammatory mediator synthesis and release. For these reasons, nimesulide is generally well tolerated by NSAID-intolerant patients and patients with NSAID-induced asthma. The good tolerability of nimesulide as an alternative drug for use in patients with NSAID intolerance has been demonstrated in a large number of clinical studies.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Unit, Verona General Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Senna
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Passalacqua
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andri
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Dama
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fregonese
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andri
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D013449:Sulfonamides; D001241:Aspirin; C012655:nimesulide