Successful re-treatment with taxol after major hypersensitivity reactions.

PURPOSETo describe the successful re-treatment of eight patients who had major hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to taxol and to suggest a regimen for re-treating patients who develop major HSRs.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe treatment courses of eight patients who developed major HSRs and were rechallenged with taxol were reviewed. Patients in this report represent all patients who are known to have been rechallenged with taxol after major HSRs.RESULTSThe most common approach used to rechallenge patients consisted of premedication with multiple high doses of corticosteroids and H1- and H2-histamine antagonists followed by the initiation of the taxol infusion at a reduced rate. All patients who experienced major HSRs were rechallenged successfully. After the rechallenge, these patients received 32 additional courses of taxol without HSRs.CONCLUSIONRe-treatment with taxol after major HSRs is feasible using multiple high doses of corticosteroids and antihistamine premedications and a reduced taxol infusion rate un...