ABSTRACT
Benzydamine is an indazole non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-edema properties. Available as a liquid mouthwash, spray for mouth and throat, topical cream, and vaginal irrigation (formerly also available in tablets, suppositories and intramuscular injections), benzydamine is most frequently employed for the relief of painful inflammatory conditions of the mouth and the musculoskeletal system, respectively. Few cases of allergic contact dermatitis to benzydamine have been reported. However, there are many case reports and case series of photoallergic reactions to this NSAID, mostly from topical administration, especially from southern European countries such as Spain, Portugal and Italy, where these products are frequently used and sunlight is abundant. Benzydamine has been shown to have phototoxic properties in vitro and to cause both phototoxicity and photoallergy. A patient sensitized to benzydamine HCl co-reacted to indomethacin, which was considered to be a cross-reaction.
