[The allergic and other side effects of non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs and gold salts].

UNLABELLED: The wider usage of non steroid antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) raises the significance of their side effects. The discovery of the two different cyclo-oxygenases (COX 1 and COX-2) led to the incorporation of more selective enzyme inhibitors into the therapeutic tools against disorders with pain and inflammation, in order to minimize the frequency of the side effects. Selective COX-2 inhibitors are well tolerated by most of the patients with a history of sensitivity against classical NSAIDs. The well-known gastrointestinal side effects (ulcers, bleedings) are much less frequent in the case of selective COX-2 inhibitors in comparison with non-selective COX inhibitors. However, the lack of "healing" prostaglandins as an effect of COX-2 antagonism may prevent the improvement of existing ulcers. In addition almost all other organs have been found to be affected in COX-2 knockout mice (COX-2 paradoxon). Hepatotoxicity is usually rare, its reason is most probably idiosyncrasy. Persistent nephropathy can be worsened by the inhibition of COX-2, however normal renal functions have not been changed in humans using selective COX-2 inhibitors. Authors' registry consists of 1000 patients with a history of suspected drug-allergy, during a 15 years' period. Approximately 30% of the cases have been connected with NSAIDs and with antirheumatic drugs. Because of functional similarities gold salts, proved suitable for the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and of osteoarthritis (OA) were included as well. Besides rheumatologic applications the second most common indication for these drugs was pain and/or fever. Among cutaneous symptoms intolerance was present at a relatively low frequency--as salicylates had not been taken into consideration. Next to salicylates the most frequent side effects were caused by pyrazolon derivates. Urticaria and angioedema were the most frequently observed symptoms on the skin--our observations are in accordance with other publications.

CONCLUSIONS: Non-selective NSAIDs show a mixed effect of inhibitions of COX-1 and COX-2. The most important indications of modern selective COX-2 inhibitors are: 1. Prevention of the gastrointestinal side effects 2. Avoidance of cross-sensitivity against non-selective NSAIDs.