Background and objective: Inhibition of COX-1 appears to be a key event in most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)-induced adverse reactions. We evaluated celecoxib tolerance, a highly specific COX-2 inhibitor, in NSAIDs-sensitive patients.
Patients and method: Intolerant patients were challenged in a single-blind study with placebo and celecoxib (increasing doses up to 400 mg).
Results: We included 59 patients (41 women): 34 with urticaria with or without angiodema, 21 with bronchospasm, and 4 with urticaria and bronchospasm. Only two patients on celecoxib developed urticaria (3.4%).
Conclusions: Celecoxib is well tolerated by most NSAIDs-intolerant patients and can be a safe alternative when analgesic or antiinflammatory therapy is indicated.