The Open Allergy Journal

2012, 5 : 65-67
Published online 2012 December 28. DOI: 10.2174/1874838401205010065
Publisher ID: TOALLJ-5-65

Anaphylaxis After Ingesting Ibuprofen Liquid Gelatin-Capsule

Fahad Al-Ghimlas , Nasser Al-Ahmed and Sean Mace
Chest Unit, Department of Medicine, Amiri Hospital, P.O.Box 39810 Nuzha, Postal Code 73059.

ABSTRACT

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used daily by millions of patients worldwide for the management of various inflammatory diseases. Many well-documented adverse reactions are related to the use of these drugs. We report a fifty-four year-old woman with anaphylaxis after ingestion of ibuprofen liquid in a gelatin capsule. Eventually this was concluded to have resulted from hypersensitivity to the gelatin component of the capsule, which was likely IgE-mediated because of the positive skin test to gelatin. Gelatin allergy is only relevant for patients ingesting specific capsule formulation. The allergist/clinical immunologist must keep in mind the possibility of gelatin allergy.

Keywords:

Anaphylaxis, Gelatin, Ibuprofen.