Hypersensitivity and Anaphylactoid Reactions to Ciprofloxacin

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report three cases of life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions to the oral administration of ciprofloxacin. CASE SUMMARY: Life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions to oral ciprofloxacin, characterized by diffuse, erythematous, nonpruritic, blanching rash, with fever and hypotension, occurred in two HIV-infected patients. One of these reactions was considered anaphylactoid. A similar hypersensitivity reaction was documented in a non—HIV-infected patient. DISCUSSION: Premarketing clinical trials described no reports of life-threatening anaphylactoid hypersensitivity reactions to ciprofloxacin. However, postmarketing surveillance studies have documented their occurrence. Seven cases of anaphylactoid reaction to ciprofloxacin have now been documented in HIV-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: As with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, HIV-infected people treated with ciprofloxacin may be at special risk for hypersensitivity reactions.