Paracetamol allergy in clinical practice

Abstract

Background Paracetamol is a widely used analgesic to which hypersensitivity reactions are rare. Reactions to paracetamol may be due to the pharmacological effects of cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition or, more rarely, due to a selective allergy against paracetamol.Objective This article aims to review the currentliterature in the context of two casesseen in the authors’ allergy practice.DiscussionParacetamol allergy is uncommonand, as a result, may be overlooked asa cause for immediate hypersensitivity,which can lead to a significant delayin diagnosis. Currently, specialistreferral for a supervised oral challengeis required for formal diagnosis