TOLERABILITY OF IMIDAZOLE SALICYLATE IN ASPIRIN-SENSITIVE PATIENTS

hOver the last few yeats, many studies have been carried out in order to individualize which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) can be tolerated in aspirin sensitivity. Imidazole salicylate (IS) is a n ew NSAID that inhibits Tromboxane A(2) synthesis, without interferring with cyclo-oxygenase pathway, whose inhibition was demonstrated to ca use asthma and/or urticaria/angioedema in aspirin-sensitive patients. We enrolled 67 subjects with documented intolerance to aspirin, pyrazo lones or NSAIDs, clinically, manifested as urticaria/angioedema (68%), asthma, and/or rhinitis (32%). A challenge with IS was carried out in every patient in single-blind fashion, reaching a cumulative dosage o f 1000 mg in the fourth session. No appearance of urticaria or broncho spastic reactions was registered in any subject, confirming the safe u se of IS in aspirin-sensitive patients.