Acute pericarditis associated with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) treatmentfor severe active ulcerative colitis

A 17-year-old male who had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis was presc ribed 80 mg prednisolone and 1,500 mg 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) per day . Two weeks after initiating therapy, he was referred to our hospital for e valuation of chest pain and high fever. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed ST elevation in limb and precordial leads. Chest pain with high fever and ECG changes were resolved after 5-ASA was discontinued. Three weeks later, the administration of a low dose of 5-ASA was associated with the immediate re currence of pericarditis associated with chest pain, suggesting a hypersens itive reaction to 5-ASA in this patient.