Paracetamol (acetaminophen) hypersensitivity.
BACKGROUND
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) intolerance can occur in less than 5% of aspirin-sensitive subjects as a result of inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis but hypersensitivity to paracetamol without aspirin sensitivity is rare.


METHODS
We report a case of an acute life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction to paracetamol.


RESULTS
An oral challenge with 125 mg of paracetamol was carried out and followed by generalized anaphylactic reaction. An oral provocation test with 500 mg aspirin was well tolerated in the patient.


CONCLUSIONS
An acute hypersensitivity reaction to paracetamol is described in this study. The results of the study suggest a real allergic mechanism rather than inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis as responsible.
Vidal
C
C
Division of Allergy, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Pérez-Carral
C
C
González-Quintela
A
A
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000097:blood; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D000939:Epitopes; C026408:anti-IgE antibodies; D000082:Acetaminophen; D007073:Immunoglobulin E