drug-induced urticaria
Last reviewed 01/2018
Non-immunological mediation:
Certain drugs may trigger degranulation of mast cells:
- salicylates eg aspirin
- opiates eg codeine, morphine
- indomethacin - an NSAID
- food preservatives eg. benzoates
- food dyes eg tartrazines
- atropine
- metronidazole
- phenytoin
- carbimazole
- cephalosporins
- quinine
- pilocarpine
Immunological mediation:
- these may occur within seconds or minutes of drug administration if the patient has been previously sensitised (IgE type 1 hypersensitivity). Also may occur due to type 3 hypersensitivity (8-10 days after drug administration).
- examples include:
- sulphonamides (includes sulphonamide antibiotics, sulphonylurea antidiabetic agents, thiazide diuretics).
- penicillins
- serum
- pollen vaccines
Reference:
- Thomas RM.Drug eruptions.Medicine International 1992; 102:4273-7.