Hypersensitivity to excipients can have severe consequences for patients who may experience repeated severe hypersensitivity reactions before the diagnosis is made, due to a lack of awareness of the widespread use of many excipients with allergenic potential. The prevalence, phenotypes, mechanisms, and cross-reactivity patterns of excipient hypersensitivity are poorly defined, and considerable under-recognition is expected for both immediate and non-immediate hypersensitivity reactions to excipients. There is an unmet need to gather expertise and knowledge about hypersensitivity to excipients to increase awareness, optimize diagnostic tools, and improve patient management. The aims of the task force on hypersensitivity to excipients are to provide a comprehensive overview of the most common excipients causing hypersensitivity reactions, addressing prevalence, potential mechanisms, clinical phenotypes, and cross-reactivity patterns, and to provide recommendations for the investigation and management of patients.

IG: Drug Allergy

Chair: Lene Heise Garvey

Secretary: Rik Schrijvers