Abstract
Anaphylactic reactions to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are uncommon. We report a 40-year-old female with adenocarcinoma of the ovary who had two reactions immediately after being infused with 5-FU. The second reaction occurred despite prophylaxis with steroids and antihistamines. The patient was positive to 5-FU on puncture skin testing even though there was no previous exposure to the drug. We successfully desensitized her to 5-FU using a continuous intravenous protocol with sequential increments in the fusion rates and drug concentrations. This desensitization method may be useful to manage systemic reactions to 5-FU and other drugs.
Publication types
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Case Reports
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
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Adenocarcinoma / surgery
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Adult
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Anaphylaxis / chemically induced
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Anaphylaxis / prevention & control*
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Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage*
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Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / adverse effects
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Desensitization, Immunologic / methods*
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Female
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Fluorouracil / administration & dosage*
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Fluorouracil / adverse effects
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin E / analysis
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Infusions, Intravenous
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Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Ovarian Neoplasms / surgery
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Skin Tests
Substances
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Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
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Immunoglobulin E
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Fluorouracil