Aspartame oral food challenge
Question:
9/22/2017
How do you test for aspartame allergy? I have a patient who stated that after eating Duo breath mints, he experienced abdominal pain followed by itching all over leading to hives. He was seen at Urgent care and received antihistamines, steroid shot and steroids. He had issues with aspartame as a child and gave up diet soda's.
Answer:
See the suggested oral food challenge protocol for aspartame of 100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg given at 20-30 minute intervals in Nowak-Wegrzun A, et al. AAAAI Adverse Reaction to Food Committee Work Group report: oral food challenge testing. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009;123 (supp):S365-83.
Patricia McNally, MD, FAAAAI