Urticaria and angioedema from cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors celecoxib and rofecoxib have generally been well tolerated. It has been unclear if specific COX-2 inhibitors would cross react with acetylsalicylic acid and typical nonsteroidal antiinflamm atory drugs to cause urticaria or angioedema. There are no reports in the l iterature of hives or angioedema resulting from their use, We describe 3 pa tients who developed urticaria and/or angioedema from COX-2 inhibitors. Wit h the increasing use of COX-2 inhibitors, one needs to be aware of these si de effects and of possible cross reactivity between celecoxib and rofecoxib .