Reactions 505 - 11 Jun 1994 1

Nalidixic acid S

Anaphylaxis: 2 case reports

During the past year the Centre for Adverse Reactions
Monitoring in Dunedin, New Zealand, has received 2 reports
of anaphylaxis associated with nalidixic acid.
The first patient, a 40-year-old woman, developed
anaphylactic shock 10 minutes after ingesting the first nalidixic
acid tablet [dosage and indication not stated]. The woman
responded to IV fluids, adrenaline, promethazine and steroids.
The second patient, a 53-year-old woman, used nalidixic
acid [dosage not stated] intermittently as a urinary antiseptic. A
macular rash developed after the twelfth tablet, and 15
minutes after the thirteenth tablet an anaphylactic reaction
developed. The patient was successfully treated with
adrenaline and promethazine.
Author comment: ‘Anaphylactoid reactions to nalidixic acid
. . . appear to be rare with only one documented case in the
literature.’
Pillans P. Nalidixic acid and anaphylaxis. Prescriber Update : 11, Mar 1994 - New
Zealand 800266808

0114-9954/10/0505-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved Reactions 11 Jun 1994 No. 505