Cutaneous reactions to analgesic-antipyretics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Analysis of reports to the spontaneous reporting system of the Gruppo Italiano Studi Epidemiologici in Dermatologia

We analyzed the cutaneous reactions to systemic analgesic-antipyretics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reported to the spontaneous reporting system of the Gruppo Italiano Studi Epidemiologici in Dermatologia (GISED). The system has been active since 1988, with periodic intensive surveillance exercises, and 202 dermatologists have collaborated. Up to December 1991, 2,137 reactions had been collected, of which 713 were reactions to systemic analgesic-antipyretics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A general profile of the reactions was identifiable. It included, in order of frequency, urticaria/angioedema, fixed eruptions, exanthemas, erythema multiforme and Stevens Johnson syndrome. Fixed eruptions and Stevens Johnson syndrome were reported with exceedingly high frequency in association with feprazone. Our system also revealed previously unreported reactions, including fixed eruption to nimesulide, fixed eruption to piroxicam and fixed eruption to flurbiprofen

Cutaneous Reactions to Alimentary Tract Medications: Results of a Seven-Year Surveillance Program and Review of the Literature

Background: No systematic review of skin reactions to alimentary tract medications is available in the literature. Objective: We reviewed the reactions to alimentary tract medications reported to the surveillance system of the Italian Group for Epidemiologic Research in Dermatology (GISED). Methods: Between January 1988 and December 1994, 202 dermatologists in Italy reported to the coordinating center of GISED all the adverse reactions they observed during prespecified 2-month monitoring periods. Reactions classified under ATC codes A02–A04, A06, A07 and A09 were used for this analysis. Results: Of 2,789 reactions, 48 were attributed to alimentary tract medications. Urticaria/angioedema and exanthemas accounted for about 70% of these reactions. Fixed eruptions and lichenoid dermatitis accounted for a large part of the remaining reactions. Antiulcers and antiemetics appeared remarkably safe. Conclusion: Our data are reassuring with regard to the cutaneous reaction profile of several drugs taken for diseases of the alimentary tract