Title:Cutaneous Adverse Reactions to Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid Suspension in Children: The Role of Sodium Benzoate
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Author(s): Francesca Mori, Simona Barni, Neri Pucci, Maria Elisabetta Rossi, Maurizio de Martino and Elio Novembre
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Amoxicillin, clavulanic acid allergy, children, drug induced-diseases, excipient, sodium benzoate.
Abstract: Background: In Europe amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic and
sodium benzoate is contained in the suspension formulation as a preservative.
Objective: We studied the relevance of sodium benzoate as the culprit agent. In a group of children with a history of
adverse reactions to amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid suspension.
Study Design: A total of 89 children were enrolled over a period of 3 years (2006 - 2009). Single blind oral provocation
tests (OPTs) with amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, sodium benzoate and placebo were performed. 20 children with
recurrent idiopathic urticaria were investigated as a control group.
Results: according to personal history: 70% of reactions were late in developing while 23% of reactions were immediate
and for 5% of the cases it was not possible to define the timing. 8 children (8/89=9%) resulted positive to the provocation
tests with amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid; ten children (10/89=11%) had positive results with sodium benzoate; 3% had a
double positivity (i.e. excipient and active drug). The timing of reactions significantly differs between the Amoxicillin
plus clavulanic acid and sodium benzoate groups (p=0.002).
Conclusion: Sodium benzoate probably acts through a non-immunologic mechanism and care should be given to children
allergic to sodium benzoate containing pharmaceutical formulations.
