Anaphylaxis After Ingesting Ibuprofen Liquid Gelatin-Capsule

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 formula- tion. The allergist/clinical immunologist must keep in mind the possibility of gelatin allergy.