Antihistamines and steroids can minimize Plavix allergic reactions
Patients suffering with Plavix allergic reaction symptoms can be provided with great relief when a combination of steroids and antihistamines is administered to them, as per doctors from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Plavix is one of the world’s most widely-used and prescribed drugs also known by the name clopidogrel.
The findings were presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session on March 30, 2009 by primary Investigator Michael P. Savage, M.D., director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Kimberly L. Campbell, M.D., cardiology fellow and lead author.
From Sciencedaily.com:
John R. Cohn, M.D., chief of Adult Allergy at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals and a key contributor to the study noted, “Previously, when patients had an allergic reaction to Plavix we would give an alternative drug but they can have their own side effects. Rather than giving the secondary drug we concentrated on suppressing the patient’s allergic symptoms they were having to Plavix by administering low doses of steroids and antihistamines while continuing the drug. What we found was that most of our patients became tolerant to Plavix, essentially becoming ‘desensitized’ to the drug enabling them to continue treatment. Once this occurred we were able to discontinue the steroids and even the antihistamines.”
It is noteworthy to remember that anecdotal studies in the past have clearly suggested that some patients may be desensitized to Plavix but this is the first study to demonstrate drug allergy is easily manageable without discontinuing the drug usage after a reaction has been experienced.
Tags: antihistamines, clopidogrel, Plavix, Steroids
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