Vitreous injections of pegaptanib sodium triggering allergic reactions.
OBJECTIVE
To report two cases of systemic allergic response associated with vitreous administration of pegaptanib sodium.


METHODS
Observational case report.


METHODS
Two patients were treated for systemic allergic reactions associated with the administration of pegaptanib sodium.


RESULTS
One patient developed a delayed and prolonged anaphylactoid reaction following administration of his first dose of intraocular pegaptanib sodium. The second patient received four injections of pegaptanib over the course of six months. He developed mild lip swelling and prolonged urticarial rash following the first injection, which subsided when pegaptanib was suspended.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe hypersensitivity reactions may occur in association with vitreous administration of pegaptanib sodium and may be associated with prolonged urticaria and angioedema. Elderly individuals with comorbidities are at higher risk for fatality from severe hypersensitivity reactions in the ambulatory setting. Physicians administering pegaptanib sodium should review emergency response and airway procedures.
Steffensmeier
Andrew C G
AC
Center for Macular Degeneration and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
Azar
Antoine E
AE
Fuller
Jeffrey J
JJ
Muller
Barbara A
BA
Russell
Stephen R
SR
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014581:Urticaria / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C495058:pegaptanib; D004155:Diphenhydramine; D008775:Methylprednisolone; D004837:Epinephrine