Adverse Reactions to Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors (Coxibs)

Coxibs, selective inhibitors of arachidonic acid cyclooxygenase-2, constitute a new, clinically useful therapeutic class of drugs that possess analgesic, antiinflammatory, and antipyretic properties. The drug inserts of prescription information presently provide a warning contraindicating their use in patients with aspirin-intolerant asthma and aspirin and NSAID hypersensitivity. However, according to investigations reported until now, most of those NSAID-sensitive individuals will tolerate coxibs. Careful oral challenge is useful for patient management since some cutaneous and systemic reactions of hypersensitivity, especially when sulfonamide-containing coxibs are employed, may occur.