Epoetin-alfa induced pruritic maculopapular eruption: Case report and literature review

Background: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) are commonly used in clinical practice to improve anaemia. Despite a number of patients successfully treated without adverse events, the complications have been previously reported. Objective: To report and review the characteristics and management of ESA hypersensitivities. Method: Case reports and related articles associated with ESA use, published between January 1999 and December 2018, were retrieved through Electronic databases (MEDLINE® and PubMed®). Result: Forty-seven ESA patients with various immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions caused by epoetin and pharmaceutical excipients were identified from nineteen studies and one case report in this paper. Fatal hypersensitivity to ESA and ESA-allergic cross-reactivities have been documented. Desensitization or change of EPO molecular structure has been reported as successful methods of re-introducing the drug. Conclusion: ESA hypersensitivity in the various allergic reactions and cross-reactivity have been documented. Desensitization and Epoetin structural changes could be successful methods to re-introduce the drug.