title: [Reactions to drugs. A review of literature].
abstract: Adverse drug reactions are originated by immunological and non-immunological mechanisms. Estimated incidence is of 6.7%, and the incidence of mortal reactions is of 0.32%. In women, skin reaction incidence is 35% higher than in men, and it is 20 times higher than presenting contrast medium-related reactions. Allergic reaction is classified accordingly to Gell and Coombs criteria. It is unknown the pathogenic mechanism of the drug-induced fever. Predictable reaction depends on the dose and it is frequently related to the drug. Unpredictable reaction depends on the individual and pseudoallergic features of each patient; no immunological mechanism is involved. For diagnosis, lymphocyte transformation test measures the T cell proliferation to an in vitro drug; furthermore, it is the most sensitive. There are just a few options to evaluate and manage those patients. When it is impossible to make the exposition test the alternative is to withdraw the drug and try another treatment option. If there is no other available drug, desensitization must be considered.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de alergia e inmunología clínica del Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI. Avenida Cuauhtémoc 330, colonia Doctores, CP 06720, México, DF.
authors.forename: Jorge Gabriel
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Velasco
authors.forename: José Efraín
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Torres Valdos
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montero Mora
authors.forename: Diana Teresa
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Juárez Morales
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Víctor Manuel
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Almeida Arvizu
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects