* MEMORANDUM *
TO: Beekeepers
FROM: Aaron Morris
DATE: September 25, 1996
SUBJECT: IBUPROFEN
REPRINTED FROM:
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE
BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY
P.O. BOX 5207
MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS
APRIL, 1993
The following is an interesting and need-to-know article
printed in the Maryland Beekeeping newsletter with the per-
mission of the author. It is taken from the book "Under-
standing Prescription Drugs", by Dorthy L. Smith, Pharm D.,
pp. 270 and 271; Reference: British Medical Journal 292:378,
1986.
DID YOU KNOW THAT?
Beekeepers should think twice before taking some anti-
inflammatory drugs. The drugs may reverse their immunity to
bee stings.
During the last few years, several new nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs have been developed to relieve pain and
reduce stiffness, swelling and joint pain associated with
inflammation. Such drugs include ibuprofen, fenoprofen,
naproxen, ketoprofen, sulindac, piroxicam, suprofen and
tolmetin.
It is well known that beekeepers develop an immunity to bee
stings and it has been reported that some people get tempo-
rary relief from the pain of arthritis if they sustain se-
veral bee stings. Two cases have recently been reported of
people with an immunity to bee stings taking a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug and suffering serious allergic re-
actions to bee and wasp stings.
A 66-year old beekeeper had developed an apparent immunity
to bee stings over six years. She was prescribed a
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for osteoarthrosis. A
few months after taking the drug, she was stung on the
wrists while working around the beehives and within 15 min-
utes developed heart palpitations, a rash and swelling of
the mouth and tounge, making it difficult for her to breath.
She stopped taking the drug and 48 hours later when she was
stung again, she developed no reaction.
Another report describes the 48-year old wife of a beekeeper
who had been taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
for five months for osteoarthritis. She had previously had
only skin reactions to wasp stings but one day she developed
widespread swelling, red, itchy rash, heart palpitations and
shortness of breath within two minutes of being stung by a
wasp. Hospitalization was necessary.
Until more is learned about the reason for these reactions,
beekeepers should be aware of potential hazards associated
with these drugs and bee stings.
>---- End of Article ----<
I haven't seen anything related since this was published, but until I
do, I avoid the new fangled pain killers and stick to good old asprin.
No, I'm not an old fart stuck in my ways, just sticking with a tried
and true (since the Romans) remedy. I'm 42 and figure why tempt fate?
Good luck!
Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee!
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