Dipyrone is a medicine that is indicated for headache, cramps, muscle aches and fever. It is widely used in our environment, by adults and children. We find it available over the counters of pharmacies, without the need for a special prescription to buy it. Some well-known trade names are: novalgin, anador, dipimed, baralgin, magnopyrol, among others. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the main cause of drug hypersensitivity reactions in Brazil. The reactions can be mediated by immunological or non-immunological mechanisms. Reactions can be diverse: itching, reddish plaques on the skin, swelling of the eyelids and lips, shortness of breath, worsening of asthma (in asthmatic patients), abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, among others. Reactions can happen immediately after administering the medication or up to several days later. If you are allergic to dipyrone, you may or may not be allergic to other antiinflammatories such as diclofenac, naproxen, nimesulide, ibuprofen, etc. In some patients with asthma or patients with chronic urticaria (CU), there may be an exacerbation of asthma and CU with the use of dipyrone. The diagnosis is made through a detailed history. When necessary, complementary tests are applied. Once the individual has a hypersensitivity reaction to the drug, use should be avoided. With each exposure, the symptoms can be more severe. Avoid self-medication! Always read the composition of the leaflet! If in doubt, make an appointment with an allergist.
References:
1) Felix MMR, Queiroz, GRS, Aranda CS, Aun MV, Menezes UP, Rodrigues AT, et al. Hipersensibilidade a anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais em crianças: relato de dois casos e revisão das novas classificações. Arq Asma Alerg Imunol. 2017;1(4):410-416.
2) Agondi RC, Dias GMFS, Assis JP, Pacheco R, Kalil J, Giavina-Bianchi P. Hypersensitivity to dipyrone in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease patients is associated with urticaria. Respir Med. 2020 Aug-Sep;170:106041. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2020.106041. Epub 2020 May 26. PMID: 32843172
