Intravenous desensitization to allopurinol in a heart transplant patient with gout.
BACKGROUND
Oral desensitization with allopurinol presents a problem for patients with allopurinol hypersensitivity and gout that needs to be controlled rapidly. To our knowledge, only 1 case report of intravenous (i.v.) desensitization has been previously published.


OBJECTIVE
To present a case report of a patient with cutaneous reactions to allopurinol who underwent i.v. allopurinol desensitization.


METHODS
Intravenous infusion of allopurinol was performed using an escalating, 19-dose protocol.


RESULTS
No adverse reactions were precipitated by 2 i.v., escalating dose procedures, allowing continuation of effective treatment of the patient's hyperuricemia.


CONCLUSIONS
This case of safe and effective desensitization with allopurinol by the i.v. route should emphasize the need for a trial of this protocol in additional patients in whom rapid desensitization would be advantageous.
Schumacher
Michael J
MJ
Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA. schumach@u.arizona.edu
Copeland
Jack G
JG
D000493:Allopurinol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000150:complications*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged
D000493:Allopurinol