Occupational allergy to pharmaceutical products

Abstract

The diagnosis of occupational allergy to drugs can be complicated and has been shown to take up to 5 years from the onset of symptoms. Ultimately, workplace avoidance remains key; however, an up to date awareness of culprit drugs and the patterns of allergy seen are key to a prompt resolution of symptoms.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by antibiotics in healthcare workers – relationship with non‐immediate drug eruptions

“…HCWs are frequently affected by hand eczema, either irritant contact dermatitis or ACD, mostly caused by gloves, disinfectants, and cleansing solutions , as observed in 3 of our cases, and less frequently caused by the handling of drugs for topical, oral or systemic use . Systemic antibiotics have been reported as a cause of ACD in HCWs, and, among them, β‐lactams constitute one of the main causes .…”

“…HCWs are frequently affected by hand eczema, either irritant contact dermatitis or ACD, mostly caused by gloves, disinfectants, and cleansing solutions , as observed in 3 of our cases, and less frequently caused by the handling of drugs for topical, oral or systemic use . Systemic antibiotics have been reported as a cause of ACD in HCWs, and, among them, β‐lactams constitute one of the main causes . Cephalosporins, which gave positive test results in 3 nurses, represent a particular problem, with several cases of ACD , and immediate contact reactions in HCWs exposed to these systemic antibiotics , having been reported.…”

“…Systemic antibiotics have been reported as a cause of ACD in HCWs, and, among them, β‐lactams constitute one of the main causes . Cephalosporins, which gave positive test results in 3 nurses, represent a particular problem, with several cases of ACD , and immediate contact reactions in HCWs exposed to these systemic antibiotics , having been reported.…”

“…Occupational risk factors include frequent hand washing, prolonged glove use, and exposure to disinfectants and drugs, which all may be responsible for irritant contact dermatitis or ACD , or immediate reactions, such as contact urticaria/protein contact dermatitis . Occupational ACD caused by systemically administered drugs has been occasionally reported in HCWs, mostly caused by systemic antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides, but does not appear to be frequent . We report 4 cases related to the handling of intravenous antibiotics, and discuss the relationships with reactions on systemic exposure to the antibiotics.…”

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from systemic drugs

“…Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is often occupation‐induced, that is, occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD). Health‐care workers (HCWs), but also workers in the pharmaceutical industry, who may also react to drug intermediates, are at risk . The lesions most commonly occur at the site of contact, which is generally the hands; however, airborne reactions from powdered drugs, droplets, or vapors are not uncommon, and even generalized reactions may develop due to inhalation or transcutaneous absorption …”