Pseudo-Allergic Drug Reactions

Abstract

Hypersensitivity reactions remain one of the major unsolved problems related to drug administration facing physicians as well as the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies.

So far, attention has been extensively paid to the detection, diagnosis and prevention of immune-mediated (‘allergic’) drug reactions, despite unconclusive results. However, non-immune-mediated (‘pseudo-allergic’) reactions should also be considered. The latter are probably more frequently encountered even though often overlooked due to close clinical similarities with allergic reactions. Pseudo-allergic reactions mainly involve nonspecific histamine release, activation of the complement system or cellmembrane phospholipid by-products.

A better understanding of these pseudo-allergic drug reactions is therefore warranted.