Rupatadine for the treatment of urticaria.

Introduction: Rupatadine fumarate is a second-generation antihistamine provided with a potent, long-lasting and balanced in vivo dual platelet-activating factor (PAF) and histamine antagonist activity and it uniquely combines both activities at a high level of potency. Rupatadine has a rapid onset of action and a long-lasting effect, so a once-daily dosing is permitted, moreover is well tolerated by young adults and the elders. Rupatadine does not present the side effects of first-generation H1-antihistamines, such as somnolence, fatigue, headache, impaired memory and learning, sedation, increased appetite, dry mouth, dry eyes, visual disturbances, constipation, urinary retention and erectile dysfunction.

A mysterious case of gastroparesis: could the secret be found in a drink?

Background: Gastroparesis is a disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying of a meal in the absence of a mechanical gastric outlet obstruction. Idiopathic gastroparesis is at least as common as diabetic gastroparesis in most case series, and the true prevalence of gastroparesis is unknown.

Results: We report here an interesting case of idiopathic gastroparesis characterized by sudden onset in a female patient.

Allopurinol hypersensitivity reactions: desensitization strategies and new therapeutic alternative molecules.

Allopurinol, an analog of hypoxanthine has been worldwide used for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout for over 40 years. Unfortunately some patients assuming this medication have developed hypersensitivity reactions ranging from mild cutaneous eruption to more severe clinical manifestations such as allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome or Steven-Johnson syndrome and lethal toxic epidermal necrolysis. Various strategies of slow desensitization have been elaborated to reintroduce allopurinol in a part of these patients, mainly patients affected by mild skin reactions as fixed drug eruption or exanthema.

Vicia faba Hypersensitivity and ASA Intolerance in a Farmer: A Case Report.

The IgE-mediated allergic reactions to food are caused, generally, by ingestion. However, they can be rarely induced by exposure to airborne food particles through the handling or the cooking. Vicia faba is a vegetable which belongs to Legumes or Fabaceae family, Fabales order.

The employment of leukotriene antagonists in cutaneous diseases belonging to allergological field.

Leukotrienes (LTs) are potent biological proinflammatory mediators. LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4 are more frequently involved in chronic inflammatory responses and exert their actions binding to a cysteinyl-LT 1 (CysLT1) receptor and a cysteinyl-LT 2 (CysLT2) receptor. LTs receptor antagonists available for clinical use demonstrate high-affinity binding to the CysLT1 receptor.

The safety of a novel sublingual rush induction phase for latex desensitization.

Objectives: In latex allergic individuals the avoidance of all exposure to natural rubber latex products is recommended. Sublingual immunotherapy against latex has recently been proposed. The aim of the study is to evaluate the tolerability of sublingual immunotherapy with latex extract, by a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, according to a three-day build-up phase rush protocol in a population of patients with latex-induced contact urticaria without a professional exposure to latex.

Safety of parecoxib in patients with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced urticaria or angioedema.

Background: Parecoxib is the first injectable cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitor indicated for the treatment of acute postoperative pain.

Objective: To describe the results of a challenge with parecoxib in patients with a history of urticaria or angioedema to 1 or more nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Methods: The study was performed from October 1, 2006, through March 31, 2007, with 79 patients who historically had experienced urticaria or angioedema after use of NSAIDs.

Tolerance to etoricoxib in 37 patients with urticaria and angioedema induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Background: The use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, a new class of analgesic drugs, is suggested in patients with hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Objective: To evaluate tolerance to etoricoxib, a new cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, in NSAID-sensitive patients with urticaria-type adverse reactions.

Patients: Thirty-seven patients with adverse reactions to NSAIDs.

Short-term tolerability of etoricoxib in patients with cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Background: Etoricoxib is a novel cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitor. Until now, there has not been information in the literature about its tolerability in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Objective: To determine the short-term tolerability of etoricoxib in patients with a history of cutaneous adverse reactions to NSAIDs.

Short-term and long-term tolerability of rofecoxib in patients with prior reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Background: Rofecoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor and is well tolerated as an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with a previous adverse reaction to other classes of NSAIDs. Until now, there has not been information in the literature about its long-term tolerability.

Objective: To provide follow-up data on patients with a history of adverse cutaneous reactions to NSAIDs who underwent and tolerated a challenge test with rofecoxib.

A discussion of natural rubber latex allergy with special reference to children: clinical considerations.

Latex allergy is an increasingly common condition, because the use of latex products is widespread. Three types of reactions can occur in persons using natural latex rubber products: 1) Irritant contact dermatitis, 2) Allergic contact dermatitis, 3) and Type I hypersensitivity. Children's subpopulations at particular risk include: atopics, individuals with spina bifida, or individuals who required frequent surgical instrumentations.

Atopy and risk factors for latex sensitization in a selected population.

The value of recommending latex allergy screening in allergy departments of the Army's Hospital was studied. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether atopy was a risk factor for latex sensitization in a specific population such as the young male soldiers of the Italian Army. The study was also aimed to assess the role of other risk factors.

Drug-induced aseptic meningitis.

Aseptic meningitis is a rare but well-recognized complication of drug therapy. The clinical presentation of drug-induced aseptic meningitis (DIAM) is distinct. Symptoms typically include fever, neck stiffness, headache, confusion, nausea and vomiting.

Systemic reactions to allergen immunotherapy: a review of the literature.

Since its introduction the safety of specific immunotherapy (SIT) was assessed by many well-designed studies. SIT is accepted as an effective treatment of allergic diseases despite the occurrence of side-effects, among which systemic reactions (SRs) are the most dangerous. The reported frequency of SRs after SIT varies among the studies and several factors influence it.