From:  Allergy to non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in children: a narrative review of the current models of care

 Classification of non-allergic vs. allergic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory hypersensitivity—adolescent population > 10 years.

CharacteristicReaction type
Non-allergic NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD)NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD)NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema/anaphylaxis (NIUAA)Allergic selective NSAID-induced urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis (SNIUAA)Allergic selective NSAID-induced delayed reactions (SNIDR)
Clinical featuresRespiratory (bronchospasm, dyspnoea, nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea)Cutaneous (urticaria and/or angioedema)Urticaria and/or angioedema ± respiratory symptomsUrticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxisCutaneous and mucosal eruptions (maculo-papular, fixed drug eruption); severe cutaneous reactions (AGEP, DRESS, SJS/TEN); organ-specific manifestations (hepatitis, nephritis)
OnsetImmediate (minutes–hours)Immediate (minutes–hours)Immediate (minutes–hours)Immediate (< 1 h)Delayed (> 24 h)
MechanismNon-allergic mechanism due to COX-1 inhibitionNon-allergic mechanism due to COX-1 inhibitionNon-allergic mechanism due to COX-1 inhibitionIgE-mediatedT-cell mediated
Cross-reactivityPresent across structurally unrelated NSAIDsPresent across structurally unrelated NSAIDsPresent across structurally unrelated NSAIDsAbsentAbsent
Associated factorsPatients with asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, or chronic urticariaChronic urticariaUnknownUnknown Unknown

COX: cyclooxygenase; SJS: Stevens-Johnson syndrome; TEN: toxic epidermal necrolysis; AGEP: acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis; DRESS: drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms; NSAID: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.