Lardelli PF, Jermini LMM, Milani GP, Peeters GGAM, Ramelli GP, Zgraggen L, Terrani I, Bianchetti MG, Vanoni F, Faré PB, Lava SAG. Nicolau syndrome caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Systematic literature review.
Int J Clin Pract 2020;
74:e13567. [PMID:
32479658 DOI:
10.1111/ijcp.13567]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM
Intramuscular or, more rarely, local drug injection is occasionally followed by immediate local pain, livedoid skin lesions and, some days later, the development of ischemic lesions. This very uncommon but potentially severe reaction, termed Nicolau syndrome, is traditionally associated with bismuth and β-lactam antimicrobials. The aim of this report was to review the literature associating Nicolau syndrome with the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
METHODS
The National Library, Excerpta Medica, Web of Science and Cochrane library databases were used.
RESULTS
Sixty-two cases (40 females and 22 males aged from 13 to 81, median 57 years) of Nicolau syndrome were published after 1992. Fifty-three cases occurred after diclofenac. The remaining nine cases were associated with ketoprofen (N = 2), ketorolac (N = 2), phenylbutazone (N = 2), etofenamate (N = 1), ibuprofen (N = 1) and piroxicam (N = 1).
CONCLUSION
Although Nicolau syndrome is extremely uncommon, physicians must be aware of this complication after intramuscular administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and should avoid unnecessary injections.
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