Anaphylactic reactions to systemic corticosteroids

Despite their antiinflammatory and antiallergic properties, corticosteroids can nevertheless cause adverse allergic reactions. This is currently accep ted for local corticosteroids and there have also been about a hundred repo rts of variable pertinence concerning hypersensitivity reactions to systemi c corticosteroids. Based on three cases of immediate hypersensitivity react ions after laking methylprednisolone, we propose a critical review of the l itterature, focusing particularly on methylprednisolone-induced reactions. The means of investigation currently available in drug-induced hypersensiti vity reactions are also discussed.