CONDITION 

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID)-related Urticaria and Angioedema Overview and Recommendations 

Background 

Nonsteroidal anti-in!ammatory drug (NSAID)-related urticaria and angioedema is a drug ● 

hypersensitivity response characterized by acute urticaria, angioedema, and/or anaphy laxis after exposure to aspirin or other NSAIDs. 

NSAID-related urticaria and angioedema reactions include 3 characterizable types

NSAID-induced urticaria or angioedema (NIUA) is the most common type. Symptoms ⚬ 

of NIUA usually occur within 1 hour of drug exposure, ranging up to about 6 hours af ter exposure to drug. NIUAA is a nonimmunologically mediated hypersensitivity reac tion related to cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibition. 

NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD) occurs in patients with underlying ⚬ 

chronic urticaria. Symptoms of NECD may occur within 30-60 minutes of drug expo sure. NECD is a nonimmunologically mediated hypersensitivity reaction related to COX-1 inhibition. 

Single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis (SNIUAA) is an immunologi ⚬ 

cally mediated (immunoglobulin E [IgE]) allergic reaction that typically occurs within minutes of exposure to aspirin or a single, speci"c NSAID or class or NSAIDs. Symp toms of anaphylaxis are more common with SNIUAA than with the other types of NSAID drug-related urticaria and angioedema. 

NSAID-related urticaria and angioedema appears to be more common in adult women, ● 

and likely risk factors include atopy (atopic dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma) or chronic urticaria. 

Evaluation 

Suspect the diagnosis in patients who develop urticaria (wheals), angioedema, or ana ● 

phylaxis after recent exposure to aspirin or other NSAIDs. 

The rapid appearance of symptoms (< 30 minutes) or anaphylaxis is suggestive of ⚬ 

SNIUAA. 

Patients with a history of chronic urticaria who develop an exacerbation after aspirin ⚬ 

or another NSAID use can be diagnosed with NECD. 

The diagnosis is based on history and can be con"rmed by a positive oral aspirin provo-

cation challenge, if clinical history is equivocal. 

While a provocation challenge con"rms the diagnosis and can establish cross-reactivi ⚬ 

ty, it is associated with risks of severe cutaneous reaction or anaphylaxis, therefore is not done routinely. 

The decision to perform challenge testing or desensitization must be individualized, ⚬ 

taking into account the potential bene"ts of the NSAID or aspirin, such as for cardio protection, and the risks of the procedure. 

For patients suspected of SNIUAA after exposure to a pyrazolone NSAID (such as dipy ● 

rone, oxyphenbutazone, or phenylbutazone), standardized skin testing is available. Serum testing for IgE may be useful for diagnosing SNIUAA, but cannot help diagnose ● 

NIUA or NECD, which are both non-IgE mediated. 

Management 

Management of NSAID drug-related urticaria and angioedema includes avoidance of ● 

COX-1 inhibitors and guideline-based treatment of anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria. 

Avoid NSAIDs with COX-1 inhibitory activity, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ke ⚬ 

toprofen, indomethacin, and diclofenac. 

Consider NSAIDs without COX-1 inhibitory activity or with selective COX-2 inhibitory ⚬ 

activity, such as acetaminophen, celecoxib, or meloxicam. 

For patients with SNIUAA, consider an NSAID from a di#erent class than the culprit ⚬ 

NSAID. 

For patients requiring aspirin for cardioprotection, consider negative challenge testing ● 

with low-dose aspirin (< 100 mg) if the bene"ts of taking aspirin outweigh the risks of the challenge procedure. 

Consider aspirin desensitization only if no alternative drug is available for the clinical ● 

needs, and aspirin or NSAID treatment clinically is necessary, and the risks of desensiti zation (including anaphylaxis) are outweighed by the potential bene"t to the patient. 

Related Topics 

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease Chronic urticaria

General Information 

Description 

NSAID-related urticaria and angioedema are drug hypersensitivity reactions character ● 

ized by acute urticaria, angioedema, and/or anaphylaxis triggered by exposure to as pirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or NSAIDs1,2,3 

NSAID-related urticaria and angioedema reactions typically appear clinically as 3 types, 

● 

including1,2,3 

NSAID-induced urticaria or angioedema (NIUA) 

characterized by acute urticaria or angioedema to aspirin and NSAIDs in patients – 

with or without history of atopy 

a nonimmunologically mediated hypersensitivity reaction NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD) 

characterized by acute urticaria or angioedema to aspirin and NSAIDs in patients – 

with underlying chronic urticaria 

a nonimmunologically mediated hypersensitivity reaction single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis (SNIUAA) 

characterized by immediate urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis to a single, spe – 

ci"c NSAID or aspirin 

may re!ect an immunologically mediated (immunoglobulin E [IgE] or non-IgE) – 

reaction 

other NSAID-related hypersensitivity reactions include aspirin-exacerbated respiratory ● 

disease (AERD) and single nonsteroidal induced delayed reaction (SNIDR) 

AERD is characterized by adult-onset chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, asth ⚬ 

ma respiratory reactions to aspirin and/or other cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibiting NSAIDs 

symptoms develop within 30 to 180 minutes of drug exposure, and are based on – 

COX-1 inhibition 

see also Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease 

SNIDR is characterized by immunologically mediated cutaneous responses to a sin 

⚬ 

gle, speci"c NSAID or aspirin that occur > 24 hours after exposure2,3 

examples include T-cell mediated reactions (contact dermatitis), "xed drug reac – 

tions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) 

SNIDR not covered in this topic; see also Contact dermatitis, Drug rash with – 

eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, and Stevens-Johnson syn drome/Toxic epidermal necrolysis 

Also called 

aspirin-exacerbated cutaneous disease (AECD)

Definitions 

cross intolerant (CI) or cross-reactive describes hypersensitivity to multiple NSAIDs with ● 

di#erent classes of chemical structures 

drug provocation test (DPT) is a test where patient is challenged with drug (usually in a ● 

graded-dose fashion) to determine if the drug elicits hypersensitivity response selective responders (SR) are patients with hypersensitivity response to NSAIDs within a

particular class of chemical structures but not those with structures outside of that class 

Types 

Table 1. Types of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug-related Urticaria and Angioedema 

Con 

NSAID 

Underlying 

Allergic or 

Mechanism Clinical 

di 

Cross 

Disease 

Nonallergic 

Presentatio 

tion 

intol 

eranc 

NEC 

Yes Chronic 

Nonallergic COX-1 

Ur 

urticaria 

inhibition 

ticaria/an 

gioedema

NIU 

Yes None or 

Nonallergic COX-1 

Ur 

atopy 

inhibition 

ticaria/an 

gioedema

SNI 

No None May be 

IgE-mediat 

Ur 

UAA 

allergic 

ed, other im 

ticaria/an 

munologic, 

gioedema 

or 

and/or 

nonimmuno 

anaphylaxis

logic 



Abbreviations: COX, cyclooxygenase; IgE, immunoglobulin E; NECD, 

NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease; NIUA, NSAID-induced 

urticaria/angioedema; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-in!ammatory 

drug; SNIUAA, single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema or 

anaphylaxis. 

References - 1,2,3

acute skin reactions that involve aspirin and other NSAIDs and manifest as urticaria, an 

● 

gioedema, or both are di#erentiated into 3 major clinical phenotypes1,2,3 NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD) 

occurs in patients with underlying chronic urticaria (although NECD may be initial – 

manifestation of chronic spontaneous urticaria) 

exposure to aspirin and other NSAIDs that inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) associ – 

ated with 

activation of in!ammatory cells 

within minutes to 4 hours, exacerbation of urticaria occurs 

exposure to alternative NSAIDs with COX-1 inhibitory activity with unrelated chemi – 

cal structures similarly leads to cutaneous symptoms 

COX-2 inhibitors usually well-tolerated 

discontinuation of NSAID usage prevents exacerbation of chronic urticaria, but – 

does not impact underlying disease 

NSAID-induced urticaria or angioedema (NIUA) 

patients usually have no history of urticaria or angioedema but many have atopic – 

disease 

exposure to aspirin or other NSAIDs that inhibit COX-1 associated with activation of in!ammatory cells 

induction of urticaria, angioedema, or both 

reaction occurs usually within 1 hour, generally ranging up to 6 hours after ex ● 

posure to drug 

alternative NSAIDs with COX-1 inhibitory activity and unrelated chemical structures – 

similarly induce cutaneous reaction 

COX-2 inhibitors usually well-tolerated 

discontinuation of aspirin and NSAID usage prevents induction 

single nonsteroidal anti-in!ammatory drug-induced urticaria/angioedema/anaphylax ⚬ 

is (SNIUAA) 

patients usually have no history of urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis exposure to single NSAID or 2 or more chemically related NSAIDs associated with 

induction of anaphylaxis and/or urticaria and angioedema may re!ect im ● 

munoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic reaction 

symptoms typically develop within minutes 

reaction occurs usually within 1 hour, generally ranging up to 6 hours after expo-

sure to drug 

NSAIDs with unrelated chemical structures usually not associated with cutaneous – 

reaction 

avoidance of NSAID reexposure prevents subsequent reactions Epidemiology 

In this Section 

Who is most a!ected 

67%-79% of patients with NSAID-related cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions are ● 

women aged 28.6 to 32.7 years (Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2017 Nov - Dec;45(6):573

12%-30% of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria will experience worsening of 

● 

skin symptoms following exposure to NSAID that inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1)1,4 

Incidence/Prevalence among drug-induced reactions4 ● 

frequent cause of drug-induced anaphylaxis (reported as responsible for 57.8% of ⚬ 

cases in 1 cohort study) 

second or third most common cause of cutaneous drug reactions (most common ⚬ 

causes include antimicrobials and contrast media) 

76% of patients with NSAID-sensitivity also react to structurally unrelated NSAIDs2 Likely risk factors 

atopy, usually manifested as atopic dermatitis, rhinitis, or asthma may increase risk for ● 

NSAID-related hypersensitivity (Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2017 Nov - Dec;45(6):573) chronic spontaneous urticaria associated with NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease 

● 

(NECD)1,3 

up to 40% of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria may experience exacerba ⚬ 

tion of cutaneous symptoms (NECD) following exposure to cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibiting NSAIDs 

NECD symptoms may precede presentation of chronic spontaneous urticaria Possible risk factors 

mastocytosis may be risk factor for NSAID-related anaphylaxis (Allergol Immunopathol

(Madr) 2017 Nov - Dec;45(6):573

Associated conditions chronic spontaneous urticaria 

atopic diseases seen in approximately 60% of patients with NSAID-induced urticaria or 

● 

angioedema (NIUA) including1 

rhinitis 

asthma 

Etiology and Pathogenesis 

Causes 

exposure to aspirin and NSAIDs in susceptible individual1,2,3 Pathogenesis 

cutaneous manifestations of hypersensitivity are characterized as either cross-intolerant 

● 

or single, selective reactions1,2,3 

cross intolerant (CI), with theorized mechanism involving cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) ⚬ 

inhibition in either aspirin and other NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD) or NSAID-induced urticaria or angioedema (NIUA) 

single or selective reactions, with theorized mechanisms involving immunoglobulin E ⚬ 

(IgE)-mediated, other immunologic, or nonimmunologic hypersensitivity in cases of single NSAID-induced urticaria and angioedema or anaphylaxis (SNIUAA) 

NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD)1,2,3 ● 

occurs in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria exposure to aspirin and other NSAIDs that inhibit COX-1 may lead to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis 

increase in histamine release 

increase in leukotriene synthesis 

activation of in!ammatory cells 

within minutes to 4 hours, exacerbation of urticaria occurs NSAID-induced urticaria or angioedema (NIUA)1,2,3 ● 

patients usually have no history of urticaria or angioedema but many have atopic ⚬ 

disease 

exposure to aspirin and other NSAIDs that inhibit COX-1 may lead to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis 

increase in histamine release

activation of in!ammatory cells 

induction of urticaria, angioedema, or both 

reaction occurs usually within 1 hour, generally ranging up to 6 hours after expo – 

sure to drug 

unclear what role may be played by atopic sensitization 

single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis (SNIUAA)1,2,3 ● ⚬ patients usually have no history of urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis some NSAID reactions may be mediated by IgE 

exposure to single NSAID or 2 or more chemically related NSAIDs associated with induction of urticaria, angioedema, and/or anaphylaxis 

symptoms typically develop within 30 minutes to 1 hour, generally ranging up to 3- – 

4 hours after exposure to drug 

IgE speci"c to NSAID may be detectable in serum based immunoassays and skin – 

testing 

History and Physical History 

Chief concern (CC) 

rapid appearance of urticaria, or angioedema, or both following aspirin or other NSAID 

● 

exposure1,2,3 

anaphylaxis may be presenting symptom in single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioede 

● 

ma/anaphylaxis (SNIUAA)1,2,3 

History of present illness (HPI) 

symptoms may manifest within minutes to several hours following aspirin or other 

● 

NSAID exposure1,2,3 

symptoms < 30 minutes from exposure, or symptoms of anaphylaxis suggest im ● 

munoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated reaction of single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioede ma/anaphylaxis (SNIUAA)1,2,3 

ask about speci"c drug taken prior to reaction1,2,3 ● 

aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketorolac, and other NSAIDs that inhibit cyclooxyge ⚬ 

nase-1 (COX-1) are typically implicated 

ibuprofen and diclofenac may be associated with angioedema without urticaria ask about1,2,3

timing of symptoms relative to exposure to NSAIDs 

prior history of NSAID (including aspirin) related reactions, including respiratory ⚬ 

symptoms 

history of similar symptoms and/or chronic urticaria 

for single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis (SNIUAA), patients may note 

reaction to a single NSAID or to 2 NSAIDs within a similar class1 

Table 2. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs by Class 

NSAID Structural Class Drugs 

Para-aminophenol derivates Paracetamol, acetaminophen

Enolic acid derivatives Meloxicam, piroxicam, tenoxicam, droxicam, lornoxicam, isoxicam

Fenamates (anthranilic acid derivates) Mefenamic acid, !ufenamic acid, tolfe namic acid

Pyrazolones* (pyrazole derivates) Azapropazone, dipyrone, oxyphenbuta zone, phenylbutazone, propy 

phenazone, metamizole, phenazone, 

aminophenazone, ampyrone, suxibu 

zone, sulfamazone, nifenazone, pyra 

zolone, propyphenazone

Acetic acid derivates Aceclofenac, diclofenac, indomethacin, tolmetin, sulindac, etodolac, ketorolac, 

nabumetone

Profens (propionic acid derivatives) Dexketoprofen, fenoprofen, !urbipro fen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, 

oxaprozin, dexibuprofen, loxoprofen

Pyridinic sulfonamide Nimesulide

Salicylic acids Acetylsalicylic acid, di!unisal, salicylic acid, salsalates



Abbreviation: NSAID, nonsteroidal 

anti-in!ammatory drug. 

Pyrazolones reported as most common NSAIDs that trigger single NSAID-induced 

urticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis. 

Past medical history (PMH) 

ask about1,2,3 ● 

previous or chronic urticaria 

atopic conditions such as asthma or rhinitis (may be present in up to 60% of patients ⚬ 

with NSAID drug-exacerbated cutaneous disease) 

Physical 

General physical 

if any concern of anaphylaxis, check blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse oximetry (see ● 

also Anaphylaxis

Skin 

assess for characteristic wheals of urticaria, which can occur anywhere on body, with or ● 

without angioedema 

appearance of wheals is typically similar to the wheals of chronic spontaneous 

● 

urticaria1,2,3 




wheals characterized by 

swollen patch of clear or mildly erythematous skin with or without surrounding – 

erythema 

may appear in linear, circular, or arcuate formations 

size ranging from few millimeters to centimeters, and several wheals may form ad – 

jacent to each other or at di#erent locations of the body 

wheal will blanch with pressure, and will fade completely by 24-48 hours, without

persistent purpura, change in pigmentation, or scarring 

see also Chronic urticaria 

HEENT 

assess for periorbital angioedema and laryngeal angioedema1,2 ● 

angioedema is characterized by transient swelling of deep layers of the skin, resulting ⚬ 

in nonpitting edema with poorly de"ned margins, and often asymmetric appearance voice change, hoarseness, stridor, or shortness of breath may indicate laryngeal ⚬ 

edema 

see also Angioedema 

Lungs 

assess for lower respiratory symptoms which may indicate anaphylaxis, including dyspnea (shortness of breath, di$culty breathing) 

cough 

wheezing 

chest tightness 

intercostal retractions 

accessory muscle use 

References - J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014 Nov;134(5):1016, J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010 ⚬ 

Dec;126(6 Suppl):S1 

see also Anaphylaxis Diagnosis 

Making the diagnosis 

suspect the diagnosis in patients who develop urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis af 

● 

ter recent exposure to aspirin or other NSAIDs1,2 

for patients without a history of chronic urticaria, suspect NSAID-induced urticaria or an 

● 

gioedema (NIUA), which is characterized by the following1,2,3 

symptoms arise generally > 30-60 minutes from exposure 

history of atopy, such as rhinitis or asthma, common (seen in up to 60%) possible history of similar symptoms after exposure to another NSAID in past 

for patients with chronic urticaria, suspect NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease 

● 

(NECD), which is characterized by the following1,2,3 

symptoms arise generally > 30-60 minutes from exposure 

prior history of chronic urticaria

for patients with unknown history of prior cutaneous symptoms, also suspect single ● 

NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis (SNIUAA), which is characterized by the following1,2,3 

reaction typically occurs within minutes of exposure 

symptoms may be severe, and anaphylaxis may be chief clinical manifestation in ⚬ 

30%-58% of patients 

respiratory symptoms (bronchial, nasal) may be seen in about half of patients 

skin prick or intradermal testing or speci"c serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing may ⚬ 

be helpful for con"rming diagnosis but this testing has not been validated for NSAIDs 

diagnosis can be con"rmed with oral graded dose challenge test, but challenge testing ● 

generally considered only if clinical need, such as aspirin for cardioprotection, outweighs risks of challenge testing, which may include severe cutaneous reaction or anaphylaxis 

Di!erential diagnosis 

consider other causes of urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis, such as foods, other drugs and medications, insect stings, infections 

see also Causes of anaphylaxis in Anaphylaxis, Causes of angioedema in Angioedema, ⚬ 

Causes of acute urticaria in Acute urticaria, and Causes of chronic urticaria in Chronic urticaria 

consider other dermatological conditions with similar clinical presentations as urticaria, ● 

such as 

viral exanthems (most common skin eruption in children) 

"xed-drug skin eruptions 

photosensitivity skin eruptions 

serum sickness-like reactions 

contact dermatitis 

anaphylaxis-associated reactions 

drug hypersensitivity syndrome 

Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis 

erythema multiforme 

for papular or cholinergic urticaria, bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpetiformis see also Acute urticaria and Chronic urticaria 

Testing overview 

consider oral aspirin graded dose challenge (also known as provocation) test if bene"t ● 

of a con"rmed diagnosis or negative challenge outweighs risk of testing procedure 

performance of oral challenge test must be considered from an individualized

risk/bene"t standpoint; avoid challenge testing if history of anaphylaxis, severe respi- 

ratory disease, or acute cardiac disease 

consider to con"rm NSAID-related urticaria or angioedema or establish negative chal ⚬ 

lenge in patients who require aspirin or NSAIDS, such as aspirin for cardioprotection consider to con"rm single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis (SNI ⚬ 

UAA) or lack of cross-reactivity to other NSAIDs 

skin testing may have utility for con"rming or ruling out a diagnosis of SNIUAA, but only ● 

when immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated pathogenesis is suspected and there is a validat ed protocol for immediate hypersensitivity skin testing with the culprit drug 

10% of patients with NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD) may also have ● 

NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD) symptoms (see Aspirin-exacerbated res piratory disease for additional information) 

Drug provocation or challenge testing 

any consideration of oral challenge should carefully weigh risks and potential 

● 

bene"ts1,2 

consider potential risks of challenge testing including severity of prior reaction, pa ⚬ 

tient comorbidities, and ability to tolerate epinephrine if needed 

consider need to distinguish whether suspected diagnosis is NSAID-exacerbated cuta ⚬ 

neous disease (NECD), NSAID-induced urticaria or angioedema (NIUA), or single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis (SNIUAA), whether there is cross reactivity, and the implications for treatment 

this may include patient's need to be treated with aspirin or other NSAIDs, such as – 

with aspirin for cardioprotection 

for majority of patients with NSAID-related urticaria and angioedema oral graded – 

dose challenge is only done if patient has cardioprotective needs for aspirin oral aspirin graded dose challenge with low-dose aspirin (81 mg) is su$cient for – 

cardioprotective needs, although will not con"rm or rule out diagnosis of NECD, NIUA, or SNIUAA (Allergy Asthma Proc 2013 Mar-Apr;34(2):138

while challenge tests can con"rm diagnoses of NECD, NIUA, or SNIUAA, and deter – 

mine whether there is cross-reactivity to other drugs, most patients with NSAID related urticaria and angioedema should be able to use alternative NSAID classes or alternative drugs (for example, acetaminophen) for clinical needs, and do not need to risk any potential adverse e#ects of drug challenge testing oral challenge may be used to determine if speci"c alternative drug is safe to use – 

for patient treatment (for example, to verify that a cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] in hibitor does not provoke reaction in patients diagnosed with cross-intolerance to COX-1 inhibitors) 

consider need for trained personnel and access to emergency resources

contraindications include history of severe drug reactions, such as Steven-Johnson ⚬ 

syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symp toms syndrome (DRESS, or drug hypersensitivity syndrome), systemic vasculitis, blood cytopenia, or nephritis 

Reference - Int J Mol Sci 2017 Jul 4;18(7): 

for more details, including protocols, see oral aspirin graded dose challenge Blood tests 

serum testing for immunoglobulin E (IgE) may be useful for single NSAID-induced ur 

● 

ticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis (SNIUAA)1 

Other diagnostic testing Skin testing 

skin prick test or intradermal (intracutaneous) test may have utility for con"rming or rul ● 

ing out a diagnosis of single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema/ anaphylaxis (SNI UAA), if immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated pathogenesis is suspected and there is a vali dated protocol for immediate hypersensitivity skin testing with the culprit drug2 more sensitive than in vitro testing for serum IgE 

tests only valid when event due to IgE-mediated anaphylactic reaction and not if ⚬ 

event due to non-IgE-mediated anaphylactoid reaction 

skin testing should be done under supervision of an experienced physician with ap ⚬ 

propriate rescue equipment and medication 

reported useful for pyrazolone derivatives 

patients should discontinue H1 antihistamines 3-7 days prior to skin testing, depend ⚬ 

ing on speci"c drug 

duration of suppression of skin wheal and !are varies with antihistamine, typically – 

3 days for cetirizine 10 mg or ebastine 10 mg (ebastine not available in United States) 

duration of suppression usually < 1 week in patients receiving regular treatment fexofenadine (up to 180 mg) - 2 days 

cetirizine 10 mg - 3 days 

ebastine 10 mg - 3 days 

levocetirizine 5 mg - 4 days 

dexchlorpheniramine 4 mg - 4 days 

azelastine 4 mg - 7 days 

loratadine 7 days 

cyproheptadine - 11 days

References - Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2015 Nov;115(5):341, commentary can be ⚬ 

found in Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2016 Mar;116(3):265, J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010 Feb;125(2 Suppl 2):S161, correction can be found in J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010 Oct;126(4):885, Allergy 2009 Sep;64(9):1256 

waiting 3-4 weeks after anaphylactic episode to conduct skin tests allows times for re ⚬ 

covery of mast cell releasability (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010 Feb;125(2 Suppl 2):S161), correction can be found in J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010 Oct;126(4):885 

Management 

Management overview 

start acute treatment for anaphylaxis if suspected 

use epinephrine, airway management, IV !uids, and antihistamines, and consider ⚬ 

steroids or albuterol depending on the severity of the reaction 

see also Anaphylaxis 

for NSAID-related urticaria and angioedema, the mainstay of management is avoidance ● 

of the NSAIDs that trigger the cutaneous response, and guideline-based treatment of as sociated angioedema and/or chronic urticaria, if present (see also Chronic urticaria

for NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD) or NSAID-induced urticaria or an ● 

gioedema (NIUA) 

avoid NSAIDs that have cyclooxygenase-1 [COX-1] inhibitory activity including aspirin, ⚬ 

ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, indomethacin, and diclofenac (see Medications to avoid

consider NSAIDs with selective COX-2 inhibitory activity, such as acetaminophen, cele ⚬ 

coxib, or meloxicam (see Analgesic medications that are tolerated

for single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis (SNIUAA), consider NSAIDs ● 

from a di#erent class 

for patients requiring aspirin for cardioprotection 

consider oral graded challenge testing with aspirin (81 mg) to determine if patient is ⚬ 

unreactive to low-dose aspirin 

for patients with NSAID-related cutaneous hypersensitivity conditions with acute ⚬ 

coronary syndrome for whom challenge is not appropriate from an individualized risk/bene"t standpoint, or for whom this is favorable for other reasons, consider al ternatives to reduce platelet function 

Medications to avoid 

advise patients with NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD) or NSAID-induced ur-

ticaria or angioedema (NIUA) to avoid preferential or nonselective cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibitors4 

NSAIDs that inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 include 

aspirin 

diclofenac 

fenoprofen 

!urbiprofen 

ibuprofen 

indomethacin 

ketoprofen 

ketorolac 

naproxen 

piroxicam 

sulindac 

NSAIDs with partial COX-1 inhibition include 

di!unisal 

etodolac 

meloxicam 

nabumetone 

nimesulide (not available in United States) 

NSAID options for patients with NSAID-related cutaneous reactions 

Table 3. Management Options for Cutaneous Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug-related Hypersensitivity Conditions 

Condition Cross-intol 

NSAIDs to 

NSAIDs to 

Aspirin 

erance to 

Avoid 

Consider 

Desensitiza 

NSAIDs with 

tion 

Unrelated 

Structures 

NECD Yes Preferential 

Selective 

Not 

or nonselec 

COX-2 

recom 

tive COX-1 

inhibitors 

mended*

inhibitors 




NIUA Yes Preferential or nonselec 

Selective COX-2 

Feasible but generally not 

tive COX-1 inhibitors 

inhibitors recom mended if 

avoidance is 

possible 


SNIUAA No** NSAIDs with 

NSAIDs with 

Recommen 

related 

unrelated 

dations are 

structures 

structures 

mixed***



Abbreviations: COX, cyclooxygenase; IgE, immunoglobulin E; NECD, 

NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease; NIUA, 

NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema; NSAID, 

nonsteroidal anti-in!ammatory drug; SNIUAA, single 

NSAID-induced 

urticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis. 

Di$cult in presence of chronic urticaria and 

concern exists that urticaria may become intractable 

with repeated aspirin exposure. 

** 

IgE-mediated. 

*** May be feasible but 

risk of anaphylaxis must be balanced with clinical 

need for desensitization. Not recommended especially 

if patient has history of severe anaphylactic 

reaction to NSAIDs. 

References - 

1,2,3

Allergy 2017 Mar;72(3):498

Analgesic medications that may be tolerated 

medications less likely to cross-react with aspirin in patients with NSAID-induced ur ● 

ticaria or angioedema (NIUA), NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD), or aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) include 

acetaminophen (generally well tolerated, but can inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 [COX-1] at ⚬ 

doses 1,000 mg; for this reason, 2 tablets of regular, rather than extra strength, ac etaminophen should be recommended as an analgesic/antipyretic) 

azapropazone

celecoxib 

sodium or choline magnesium (generally well-tolerated, but at higher doses, for ex ⚬ 

ample, > 2,000 mg salicylate, can inhibit COX-1) 

dextropropoxyphene lumiracoxib 

meloxicam (generally well-tolerated, but at doses 15 mg, meloxicam can inhibit ⚬ 

COX-1) 

parecoxib 

salicylamide 

Reference - J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014 Jan;133(1):286 

STUDY SUMMARY ● 

drug provocation testing reported to identify selective COX-2 inhibitors that may not induce hypersensitivity response in most patients with cross-reactive NSAID-related hypersensitivity DynaMed Level

COHORT STUDY: Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2013 May-Jun;41(3):181 

Details 

based on retrospective cohort 

309 patients with cross-reactive NSAID-related hypersensitivity (76.3% female, mean ⚬ 

age 41.5 years) challenged in drug provocation tests for response to NSAIDs with se lective COX-2 inhibitory activity 

NSAID-related hypersensitivity manifestations included cutaneous in 71.8% of pa ⚬ 

tients, respiratory in 51.5% of patients, cardiovascular in 12.9% of patients, gastroin testinal in 8.4% of patients, or involving 2 organ systems in 29.1% of patients 

hypersensitivity response to COX-2 drug provocation testing seen for meloxicam in 9.8% of 112 patients 

nimesulide in 8.1% of 74 patients 

celecoxib in 5.1% of 78 patients 

rofecoxib in 5.1% of 98 patients 

other NSAIDs in 18.6% of 26 patients 

Reference - Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2013 May-Jun;41(3):181 Aspirin challenge 

Aspirin challenge considerations 

aspirin challenge should only be used if the individual patient potential for bene"t out 

weighs the potential for harm1,2,3,4 

for patients with NSAID-induced urticaria or angioedema (NIUA) 

challenge recommended only if no alternative available and aspirin treatment nec – 

essary, such as for cardiovascular disease 

negative challenge to aspirin at top dose of 81 mg usually su$cient for clinical – 

needs for cardiac patients 

for patients with NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD) 

attempts at challenge or desensitization generally fail to extinguish urticarial – 

responses 

desensitization using aspirin has been reported, but may also lead to intractable – 

urticaria 

for patients with single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema or anaphylaxis (SNI ⚬ 

UAA), desensitization would only be required if the speci"c NSAID was required for treatment, without an equally e#ective alternative that can be used 

if history of anaphylaxis at antiplatelet doses (100 mg), consult an allergist along with ● 

cardiologist for joint decision on how to proceed for patients with cardiac needs for aspirin 

alternatives to reduce platelet function for patients with insu$cient time to complete ● 

aspirin desensitization prior to percutaneous coronary interventions procedure include antiplatelet adenosine diphosphate receptor antagonist such as clopidogrel platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor such as epti"batide, abciximab, or tiro"ban Reference - Allergy 2017 Mar;72(3):498 

contraindications 

absolute contraindications for challenge include life-threatening or severe NSAID-related reactions 

including severe mucosal ulcerations, cutaneous or systemic vasculitis, drug rash – 

with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), or Steven-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) 

contraindications include history of severe drug reactions, such as SJS/TEN, DRESS – 

(or drug hypersensitivity syndrome), systemic vasculitis, blood cytopenia, or nephritis 

Reference - Int J Mol Sci 2017 Jul 4;18(7): 

relative contraindications for challenge/desensitization include patients with in ⚬ 

creased risk due to comorbidity such as 

hemodynamic instability 

uncontrolled asthma 

uncontrolled cardiac diseases 

Reference - Allergy 2010 Nov;65(11):1357

consider 

potential risks including patient comorbidities and ability to tolerate epinephrine if ⚬ 

needed 

need for trained personnel and access to emergency resources Reference - Int J Mol Sci 2017 Jul 4;18(7): 

consider only after careful risk/bene"t evaluation in patients with history of severe anaphylaxis 

asthma 

renal, hepatic, or other diseases 

beta-blockers 

Reference - Allergy 2010 Nov;65(11):1357 

in patients with high suspicion of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD)4 ● 

rapid desensitization aspirin or NSAID administration may provoke severe bron ⚬ 

chospasm, which may increase risk to patient during recovery from cardiac events consider desensitization protocol that is well established for patients with AERD (see ⚬ 

Aspirin desensitization in Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease

pretreatment considerations 

for patients without serious cardiovascular disease, responses to challenge testing ⚬ 

may be obscured through pretreatment with antihistamines, steroids, or montelukast (see diagnostic oral aspirin challenge test

for patients with underlying disease requiring hospitalization (such as cardiovascular ⚬ 

disease with unstable arterial lesions), ongoing pretreatment with antihistamines, steroids, or montelukast may be necessary to maintain patient's stability and the goal of aspirin treatment may outweigh the need to prevent masking of reaction by other treatments 

Reference - Allergy 2007 Oct;62(10):1111 

periprocedural aspirin challenge considerations from Aspirin Desensitization Joint Task ● 

Force 

preparation for oral aspirin challenge protocol 

discuss risks and bene"ts of procedure with patient and document discussion in – 

medical record 

advise that procedure may take several days to complete consider need for pretreatment with leukotriene-modifying drug for patients with NECD 

consider discontinuation of antihistamine treatment for 48 hours prior to proce ● 

dure to avoid antihistamine masking !are-up 

as full discontinuation of antihistamines might lead to urticarial symptoms an 

alternative for testing is to reduce dose to minimum e#ective for control4 

Reference - Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2007 Feb;98(2):172, commentary can be ⚬ 

found in Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2007 Aug;99(2):196 

symptom relief and patient observation 

if anaphylaxis suspected, use epinephrine according to guidelines; see anaphylaxis ⚬ 

management 

cutaneous symptoms may be relieved by antihistamine and or oral or IV ⚬ 

corticosteroids 

respiratory symptoms may be relieved by 2-4 pu#s of short-acting beta-2-agonist or ⚬ 

nebulization (2.5-5 mg salbutamol) until forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) within 90% of baseline 

more severe symptoms may be treated with oral or IV corticosteroids (40 mg pred ⚬ 

nisolone or equivalent) 

Reference - Allergy 2007 Oct;62(10):1111 

additional considerations in children and adolescents 

consider starting challenge dose of 10%-25% of therapeutic dose by age and weight 

consider lower starting doses (< 10% of therapeutic dose by age and weight) if history ⚬ 

of severe prior reaction 

consider dosing intervals of 60 minutes 

negative challenge established with total cumulative dosing: at least 15-20 ⚬ 

mg/kg/dose for acetaminophen, 10 mg/kg/dose for ibuprofen, and 15-20 mg/kg/dose for aspirin 

observe patients for at least 1.5-2 hours after negative challenge testing Reference - Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2018 Aug;29(5):469 

aspirin must be taken routinely following challenge to retain tolerance 

tolerance can be maintained with as little as aspirin 81 mg for patients who only need ⚬ 

cardiovascular disease prophylaxis 

some people receiving maintenance therapy with aspirin 81 mg/day will react when ⚬ 

given higher doses of aspirin or other NSAIDs 

Reference - Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2016 Nov;36(4):693 Aspirin graded dose challenge protocols 

multiple protocols have been published, most based on expert opinion and critical re ● 

view of past cases 

Scripps oral aspirin graded dose challenge protocol for patients with cardiovascular dis ● 

ease commonly used in the United States 

if symptoms occur throughout procedure 

treat symptoms

repeat dose that provoked symptoms before proceeding 

administer 40.5 mg aspirin, observe patient for 90 minutes administer 40.5 mg aspirin (81 mg cumulative dose) 

observe patient for 90 minutes 

if patient reaction, consider another 40.5 mg dose with observation 

if 81 mg is target therapeutic dose and no patient reaction, continue with mainte – 

nance dose of 81 mg on following day 

Reference - Allergy Asthma Proc 2013 Mar-Apr;34(2):138 

protocols recommended by European Network on Drug Allergy (ENDA)/European Acad ● 

emy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Drug Allergy Interest Group 

challenge not recommended for patients with history of severe anaphylaxis reaction ⚬ 

to NSAIDs 

for patients with chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD), history of NSAID-related hy ⚬ 

persensitivity reactions, and NO history of severe anaphylaxis reaction to NSAIDs, can consider oral aspirin graded dose challenge with dosing up to 110 mg 

negative challenge indicates patient may take low-dose aspirin for cardioprotec – 

tion, coronary angiography, and stenting 

positive reaction at dose 100 mg indicates need for avoidance, or proceeding

with oral aspirin graded dose challenge with very low starting dose, if felt to be in the patient's best interest prior to use for cardioprotection, coronary angiography, and stenting 

Table 4. ENDA/EAACI Oral Aspirin Graded Dose Challenge Protocol 

Time Aspirin Dose Cumulative Aspirin Dose 

0 minutes 0 mg 0 mg

20 minutes 10 mg 10 mg

65 minutes 25 mg 35 mg

110 minutes 25 mg 60 mg

155 minutes* 50 mg 110 mg

200 minutes* 50 mg** 160 mg**



* Patient observed for 2 hours 

following procedure. 

** Normally procedure ends at 110 mg but 

is carried to 160 mg at cardiologist's request. 

Reference - Allergy 2017 Mar;72(3):498 

for patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and positive reaction to acetylsalicy ⚬ 

late acid (ASA) at doses < 100 mg or patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) re quiring rapid challenge testing 

ENDA/ EAACI suggests an oral aspirin graded dose challenge/desensitization with

cumulative dose goal of 100 mg, starting at very low dose 

Table 5. Aspirin Oral Graded Dose Challenge Protocol With Very Low Starting Dose 

Time (Minutes) ASA Dose* Cumulative Dose 0 minutes 0 mg 0 mg

20 minutes 0.1 mg 0.1 mg

40 minutes 1 mg 1.1 mg

60 minutes 2 mg 3.1 mg

80 minutes 3 mg 6.1 mg

100 minutes 4 mg 10.1 mg

120 minutes 5 mg 15.1 mg

140 minutes 10 mg 25.1 mg

180 minutes 15 mg 40.1 mg

240 minutes 25 mg 65.1 mg

300 minutes** 35 mg 100.1 mg



Abbreviation: ASA, 

acetylsalicylate acid; L-ASA, lysine 

acetylsalicylate. 

* 288 mg L-ASA, 

equivalent to 160 mg of ASA, dissolved in 16 ml of 

water used. 

** 1-2 hours 

observation after procedure. 

Reference - Allergy 2017 Mar;72(3):498 

CLINICIANS' PRACTICE POINT 

The dosing used in this challenge/desensitization protocol starts very low, and may not be necessary or feasible in clinical practice. 

STUDY SUMMARY ⚬ 

ENDA/EAACI protocol for aspirin challenge at doses required for antiplatelet ther apy in patients with heart disease reported safe and e!ective for aspirin challenge in patients with NSAID/aspirin-related hypersensitivity DynaMed Level

CASE SERIES: Allergy 2017 Mar;72(3):498 

Details 

based on case series 

310 patients (45.5% male, mean age 63.9 years) with ACS (138 patients) or CIHD – 

(172 patients) and history of hypersensitivity to NSAIDs or aspirin were challenged with aspirin 

163 patients were challenged with 10 mg starting dose, escalating to 110 mg over – 

155 minutes (110 mg protocol); 147 patients with 0.1 mg starting dose, escalating to 100.1 mg over 300 minutes (100 mg protocol) 

patients had clinical history of 

hypersensitivity reaction to aspirin dose of 300 mg (38.4%) or > 300 mg ● 

(61.6%) 

urticaria/angioedema in 217 (70%), anaphylaxis in 50 (16.1%), bronchospasm in ● 

17 (5.5%), or delayed cutaneous reactions in 26 (8.4%) 

hypersensitivity to 1 NSAIDS and aspirin in 65.8% or aspirin alone in 34.2%

patients with severe anaphylactic reactions to aspirin were excluded 

of 138 patients with ACS, 63% treated with angioplasty and or stent placement; – 

16.7% were challenged with 110 mg protocol, 48.6% with 100 mg protocol of 172 patients with CIHD, 126 were challenged with 110 mg protocol, 46 with 100 – 

mg protocol 

110 mg challenge in 163 patients 

doses were up to 160 mg (95 patients), up to 500 mg (48 patients), or cumulative ● 

dose 110-160 mg (20 patients) 

outcomes included 

reactions at 500 mg in 7 patients, and at cumulative dose of 110 mg in 3 ⚬ 

patients 

3 reacting patients with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease diagnosis ef ⚬ 

fectively desensitized 

7 reacting patients with cutaneous disease failed desensitization 100 mg challenge in 147 patients 

doses were cumulative doses of 150 mg (82 patients), 317 mg (10 patients), and ● 

100 mg (55 patients) 

outcomes included 10 patients with reactions but successful tolerance to 100 ● 

mg dose and 2 failures 

Reference - Allergy 2017 Mar;72(3):498 Consultation and referral 

consider consult with board-certi"ed allergist for patients with hypersensitivity reactions ● 

that are severe, involve anaphylaxis, or require drug challenge or desensitization (Aller gy 2017 Mar;72(3):498

Anaphylaxis management immediate measures 

assess airway, breathing, circulation, and level of consciousness and support airway if ⚬ 

needed 

give epinephrine 

0.2-0.5 mg (0.01 mg/kg in children up to 0.3 mg) intramuscularly in anterolateral – 

thigh every 5-10 minutes as needed to control symptoms and increase blood pressure 

place adults and adolescents in recumbent position and pregnant women on left side 

rapid !uid replacement with 1-2 L normal saline at 5-10 mL/kg within "rst 5 minutes

(30 mL/kg in "rst hour in children) 

adjunctive therapy 

consider H1 antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine 25-50 mg in adults and 1 mg/kg ⚬ 

(maximum 50 mg) in children over 10-15 minutes 

consider H2 antihistamine, such as famotidine 20 mg IV or cimetidine 4 mg/kg IV 

combination of ranitidine plus diphenhydramine is more e#ective than diphenhy ⚬ 

dramine alone for resolution of acute urticaria DynaMed Level

FDA withdraws all prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine products due to ongo ⚬ 

ing presence of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen; cur rently, FDA testing has not found NDMA in certain other H2 blockers (famotidine or cimetidine) or proton pump inhibitors (FDA Press Release 2020 Apr 1

additional therapies in refractory cases 

IV epinephrine starting at 2 mcg/minute and increasing up to 10 mcg/minute (but risk ⚬ 

for potentially lethal arrhythmia) 

albuterol (nebulized therapy 2.5-5 mg in 3 mL of saline or 2-6 pu#s of metered-dose ⚬ 

inhaler) 

dopamine 2-20 mcg/kg/minute infusion for refractory hypotension 

IV glucagon 1-5 mg for beta-blocker associated reaction, which may not respond to ⚬ 

administration of epinephrine 

systemic corticosteroids often used to prevent biphasic or protracted anaphylaxis but ● 

no supporting evidence 

observe patient for at least several hours, depending on treatment response see Anaphylaxis for details 

Complications and Prognosis 

Prognosis 

STUDY SUMMARY ● 

some patients with NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema may lose hypersensitivity over several years of time DynaMed Level

COHORT STUDY: Allergy 2017 Sep;72(9):1346 

Details 

based on prospective cohort study 

38 patients with NSAID-induced urticaria or angioedema (NIUA) (median age 38 years,

63.2% female) followed for median of 78 months, evaluated twice after NIUA diagno sis to determine stability of NSAID intolerance 

patients < 14 or > 60 years old excluded 

drug provocation testing involved acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) challenge, followed after ⚬ 

1-week interval by NSAID challenge, if ASA did not provoke response "rst follow-up hypersensitivity assessment (T1) occurred at a median of 60 months ⚬ 

after diagnosis 

tolerance to NSAIDs seen in 24 patients (63.2%) 

cutaneous symptoms seen in 14 patients (36.8%) 

second follow-up assessment (T2) occurred at a median of 18 months after T1 tolerance to NSAIDs seen in same 24 patients (63.2%) 

cutaneous symptoms seen in same 14 patients (36.8%) 

comparing patients that developed tolerance (group T) with those that remained in ⚬ 

tolerant (Group I), intolerance associated with increased number of episodes 5 episodes (group I) compared with 2.5 episodes (group T) 

odds ratio 1.9 (95% CI 1.12-3.22, p < 0.02) 

Reference - Allergy 2017 Sep;72(9):1346 

Prevention and Screening not applicable 

Guidelines and Resources Guidelines 

International guidelines 

European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology/Global Allergy and Asthma Eu 

● 

ropean Network (EAACI/GA2LEN) guideline on aspirin provocation tests for diagnosis of aspirin hypersensitivity can be found in Allergy 2007 Oct;62(10):1111 

European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology/Global Allergy and Asthma Eu 

● 

ropean Network/ European Dermatology Forum/urticaria network (EAACI/GA2 LEN/EDF/UNEV) consensus recommendations on de"nition, diagnostic testing, and man agement of chronic inducible urticarias: 2016 update and revision can be found in Aller gy 2016 Jun;71(6):780 

European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology/Global Allergy and Asthma Eu 

ropean Network/ European Dermatology Forum/World Allergy Organization (EAACI/GA2 LEN/EDF/WAO) guideline on de"nition, classi"cation, diagnosis, and management of ur ticaria: 2013 revision and update can be found in Allergy 2014 Jul;69(7):868 

International Collaboration in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (iCAALL) consensus on ● 

drug allergy can be found in Allergy 2014 Apr;69(4):420 

United States guidelines 

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology/American College of Allergy, ● 

Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI/ACAAI) practice parameter on diagnosis and manage ment of acute and chronic urticaria can be found in J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014 May;133(5):1270 

American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology/Society for Academic Emergency ● 

Medicine (ACAAI/SAEM) consensus parameter for the evaluation and management of angioedema in the emergency department can be found in Acad Emerg Med 2014 Apr;21(4):469 

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology/American College of Allergy, ● 

Asthma, and Immunology/Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI/ACAAI/JCAAI) practice parameter on drug allergy can be found in Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2010 Oct;105(4):259 

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology/American College of Allergy, ● 

Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI/ACAAI) 

2020 practice parameter update on anaphylaxis can be found in J Allergy Clin Im ⚬ 

munol 2020 Apr;145(4):1082 and at 

2015 practice parameter on anaphylaxis can be found in Ann Allergy Asthma Im ⚬ 

munol 2015 Nov;115(5):341 and at 

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology/American College of Allergy, ● 

Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI/ACAAI) practice parameter on emergency department diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis can be found in Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2014 Dec;113(6):599 

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) report on adverse reac ● 

tions to drugs and biologics in patients with clonal mast cell disorders can be found in J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019 Mar;143(3):880 

United Kingdom guidelines 

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on diagnosis and man ● 

agement of drug allergy can be found at NICE 2014 Sep:CG183 PDF , summary can be found in BMJ 2014 Sep 3;349:g4852 

British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) guideline on management of

chronic urticaria and angioedema can be found in Clin Exp Allergy 2015 Mar;45(3):547

commentary can be found in Clin Exp Allergy 2015 Aug;45(8):1370 

British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) guideline on management of ● 

drug allergy can be found in Clin Exp Allergy 2009 Jan;39(1):43, commentary can be found in Clin Exp Allergy 2010 May;40(5):697 

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) care pathway for children with ur ● 

ticaria, angioedema, or mastocytosis can be found in Arch Dis Child 2011 Nov;96 Suppl 2:i34 

European guidelines 

European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) position paper on how to ● 

classify cutaneous manifestations of drug hypersensitivity can be found in Allergy 2019 Jan;74(1):14 

European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) position papers on 

classi"cation and practical approach to diagnosis and management of hypersensitivi ⚬ 

ty to nonsteroidal anti-in!ammatory drugs can be found in Allergy 2013 Oct;68(10):1219, commentary can be found in Allergy 2014 Jun;69(6):815 desensitization in delayed drug hypersensitivity reactions can be found in Allergy ⚬ 

2013 Jul;68(7):844 

pharmacovigilance of drug allergy and hypersensitivity using ENDA-DAHD database 

⚬ 

and GA2LEN platform: the Galenda project can be found in Allergy 2009 Feb;64(2):194 

EAACI task force report on recognizing the potential of the primary care physician in the ● 

diagnosis and management of drug hypersensitivity can be found in Clin Transl Allergy 2018;8:16 

European Network on Drug Allergy/European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunol ● 

ogy (ENDA/EAACI) 

ENDA/EAACI position paper on diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity reac ⚬ 

tions to non-steroidal anti-in!ammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in children and adolescents can be found in Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2018 Aug;29(5):469 

ENDA/EAACI position paper on skin test concentrations for systemically administered ⚬ 

drugs can be found in Allergy 2013 Jun;68(6):702 

ENDA/EAACI position paper on In vitro tests for drug hypersensitivity reactions can be ⚬ 

found in Allergy 2016 Aug;71(8):1103, editorial can be found in Allergy 2016 Aug;71(8):1079 

ENDA/EAACI position paper on drug hypersensitivity in clonal mast cell disorders can ⚬ 

be found in Allergy 2015 Jul;70(7):755 

ENDA/EAACI consensus statement on rapid desensitization for drug hypersensitivity

can be found in Allergy 2010 Nov;65(11):1357 

Italian expert consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of acute angioedema in ● 

the emergency department can be found in Intern Emerg Med 2014 Feb;9(1):85 

Asian guidelines 

Taiwanese Dermatological Association (TDA) consensus guideline on de"nition, classi"- ● 

cation, diagnosis, and management of urticaria can be found in J Formos Med Assoc 2016 Nov;115(11):968 

Dermatological Society of Thailand/Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Association of ● 

Thailand/Pediatric Dermatological Society of Thailand (DST/AAIAT/PDST) clinical practice guideline on diagnosis and management of urticaria can be found in Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol 2016 Sep;34(3):190 

Japanese Dermatological Association (JDA) clinical practice guideline on urticaria can be ● 

found at Minds guideline listing (医療情報サービスマインズ) PDF [Japanese ⽇本語

Japanese Dermatology Association (JDA) guideline on diagnosis and treatment of ur ● 

ticaria and angioedema can be found in Allergol Int 2012 Dec;61(4):517 

Central and South American guidelines 

Argentina Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology/Argentina Society of Dermatol ● 

ogy (Asociacion Argentina de Alergia e Inmunologia Clinica/Sociedad Argentina de Der matologia [AAAeIC/SAD]) guideline on urticaria and angioedema can be found in Medici na (B Aires) 2014;74 Suppl 1:1 [Spanish] 

Review articles 

review of NSAID hypersensitivity can be found in Neth J Med 2018 Mar;76(2):52 

review of diagnosis and management of NSAID hypersensitivity in children can be found ● 

in Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2018 Aug;29(5):469 

review of drug provocation testing in patients with drug hypersensitivity can be found in ● 

Int J Mol Sci 2017 Jul 4;18(7):E1437 

review of aspirin desensitization in patients with NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease ● 

(NERD) can be found in Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2016 Nov;36(4):705 review of NSAID-hypersensitivity can be found in Korean J Intern Med 2016 ● 

May;31(3):417 

review of NSAID-hypersensitivity in children and adolescents can be found in J Investig

Allergol Clin Immunol 2015;25(4):259 

MEDLINE search 

to search MEDLINE for (Nonsteroidal anti-in!ammatory drug (NSAID)-related urticaria ● 

and angioedema) with targeted search (Clinical Queries), click therapy , diagnosis , or prognosis 

Patient Information 

handout on angioedema from EBSCO Health Library or in Spanish 

handout on allergic reactions to aspirin and other painkillers from Australasian Society ● 

of Clinical Immunology and Allergy PDF 

handout on medications and drug allergic reactions from American Academy of Allergy, ● 

Asthma & Immunology 

handout on urticaria and angioedema from British Association of Dermatologists PDF 

handouts from Patient UK on 

drug allergy PDF 

hives (acute urticaria) PDF 

angioedema PDF 

handout on hives (urticaria) from TeensHealth or in Spanish 

References 

General references used 

1. Kowalski ML, Woessner K, Sanak M. Approaches to the diagnosis and management of patients with a history of nonsteroidal anti-in!ammatory drug-related urticaria and an gioedema. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015 Aug;136(2):245-51 

2. Sa# RR, Banerji A. Management of patients with nonaspirin-exacerbated respiratory dis ease aspirin hypersensitivity reactions. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2015 Jan-Feb;36(1):34-9 

3. Blanca-Lopez N, Perez-Alzate D, Canto G, Blanca M. Practical approach to the treatment of NSAID hypersensitivity. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2017 Nov;13(11):1017-27 

4. Modena B, White AA, Woessner KM. Aspirin and nonsteroidal antiin!ammatory drugs hypersensitivity and management. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2017 Nov;37(4):727- 749

Synthesized Recommendation Grading System for DynaMed Content 

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Guideline recommendations summarized in the body of a DynaMed topic are provided ● 

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In DynaMed content, we synthesize the current evidence, current guidelines from lead ● 

ing authorities, and clinical expertise to provide recommendations to support clinical de cision-making in the Overview & Recommendations section

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Strong recommendations are used when, based on the available evidence, clini ⚬ 

cians (without con!icts of interest) consistently have a high degree of con"dence that the desirable consequences (health bene"ts, decreased costs and burdens) outweigh the undesirable consequences (harms, costs, burdens). 

Weak recommendations are used when, based on the available evidence, clinicians ⚬ 

believe that desirable and undesirable consequences are "nely balanced, or appre ciable uncertainty exists about the magnitude of expected consequences (bene"ts and harms). Weak recommendations are used when clinicians disagree in judgments of relative bene"t and harm, or have limited con"dence in their judgments. Weak rec ommendations are also used when the range of patient values and preferences sug gests that informed patients are likely to make di#erent choices. 

DynaMed synthesized recommendations (in the Overview & Recommendations section) ● 

are determined with a systematic methodology: 

Recommendations are initially drafted by clinical editors (including 1 with method ⚬ 

ological expertise and 1 with content domain expertise) aware of the best current evidence for bene"ts and harms, and the recommendations from guidelines. Recommendations are phrased to match the strength of recommendation. Strong ⚬ 

recommendations use "should do" phrasing, or phrasing implying an expectation to perform the recommended action for most patients. Weak recommendations use "consider" or "suggested" phrasing. 

Recommendations are explicitly labeled as Strong recommendations or Weak rec

ommendations when a quali"ed group has explicitly deliberated on making such a recommendation. Group deliberation may occur during guideline development. 

When group deliberation occurs through DynaMed Team-initiated groups: 

Clinical questions will be formulated using the PICO (Population, Intervention, – 

Comparison, Outcome) framework for all outcomes of interest speci"c to the rec ommendation to be developed. 

Systematic searches will be conducted for any clinical questions where systematic – 

searches were not already completed through DynaMed content development. Evidence will be summarized for recommendation panel review including for each – 

outcome, the relative importance of the outcome, the estimated e#ects comparing intervention and comparison, the sample size, and the overall quality rating for the body of evidence. 

Recommendation panel members will be selected to include at least 3 members – 

that together have su$cient clinical expertise for the subject(s) pertinent to the recommendation, methodological expertise for the evidence being considered, and experience with guideline development. 

All recommendation panel members must disclose any potential con!icts of inter – 

est (professional, intellectual, and "nancial), and will not be included for the specif ic panel if a signi"cant con!ict exists for the recommendation in question. Panel members will make Strong recommendations if and only if there is consis – 

tent agreement in a high con"dence in the likelihood that desirable consequences outweigh undesirable consequences across the majority of expected patient val ues and preferences. Panel members will make Weak recommendations if there is limited con"dence (or inconsistent assessment or dissenting opinions) that de sirable consequences outweigh undesirable consequences across the majority of expected patient values and preferences. No recommendation will be made if there is insu$cient con"dence to make a recommendation. 

All steps in this process (including evidence summaries which were shared with the – 

panel, and identi"cation of panel members) will be transparent and accessible in support of the recommendation. 

Recommendations are veri"ed by 1 editor with methodological expertise, not in ⚬ 

volved in recommendation drafting or development, with explicit con"rmation that Strong recommendations are adequately supported. 

Recommendations are published only after consensus is established with agreement ⚬ 

in phrasing and strength of recommendation by all editors. 

If consensus cannot be reached then the recommendation can be published with a ⚬ 

notation of "dissenting commentary" and the dissenting commentary is included in the topic details. 

If recommendations are questioned during peer review or post publication by a quali-

"ed individual, or reevaluation is warranted based on new information detected through systematic literature surveillance, the recommendation is subject to addi tional internal review. 

DynaMed Editorial Process 

DynaMed topics are created and maintained by the DynaMed Editorial Team and ● 

Process

All editorial team members and reviewers have declared that they have no "nancial or ● 

other competing interests related to this topic, unless otherwise indicated. DynaMed content includes Practice-Changing Updates, with support from our partners, ● 

McMaster University and F1000. 

Special acknowledgements 

DynaMed topics are written and edited through the collaborative e#orts of the above ● 

individuals. Deputy Editors, Section Editors, and Topic Editors are active in clinical or academic medical practice. Recommendations Editors are actively involved in develop ment and/or evaluation of guidelines. 

Editorial Team role de!nitions 

Topic Editors de"ne the scope and focus of each topic by formulating a set of clinical questions and suggesting important guidelines, clinical trials, and other data to be addressed within each topic. Topic Editors also serve as consultants for the internal DynaMed Editorial Team during the writing and editing process, and review the "nal topic drafts prior to publication.

Section Editors have similar responsibilities to Topic Editors but have a broader role that includes the review of multiple topics, oversight of Topic Editors, and systematic surveillance of the medical literature.

Recommendations Editors provide explicit review of Overview and 

Recommendations sections to ensure that all recommendations are sound, supported, and evidence-based. This process is described in "Synthesized Recommendation Grading."

Deputy Editors oversee DynaMed internal publishing groups. Each is responsible for all content published within that group, including supervising topic development at all stages of the writing and editing process, "nal review of all topics prior to publication, and direction of an internal team.



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recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission. EBSCO Information Services accepts no liability for advice or information given herein or errors/omissions in the text. It is merely intended as a general informational overview of the subject for the healthcare professional.


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