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Management of cutaneous drug reactions

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Abstract

Drugs are potent chemicals that often have effects in the body beyond the desired action. These effects may range from mild and expected side effects to dramatic and lifethreatening anaphylaxis. Adverse drug reactions account for between 2% and 6% of hospital admissions and may prevent administration of otherwise effective therapeutic agents. Cutaneous and mucocutaneous eruptions are the most common adverse reactions to oral or parenteral drug therapy, and the spectrum ranges from transitory exanthematous rash to the potentially fatal toxic epidermal necrolysis. Different mechansims, including both immunologic and nonimmunologic, are responsible for cutaneous adverse drug reaction. The treatment of cutaneous drug eruptions essentially rests on accurate history, a thorough physical examination, discontinuation of the offending drug, and supportive care. The management of a cutaneous drug eruption is very much individualized, based on the clinical setting. This review aims to provide a general approach to the patient with a presumed cutaneous drug reaction.

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  1. Medical Specialities, Southampton General Hospital, Mail point 810, Level D, Centre Block, SO16 6YD, Southampton, UK

    K. S. Babu MD, DNB & Geeta Belgi MD, DNB

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  1. K. S. Babu MD, DNB
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  2. Geeta Belgi MD, DNB
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Babu, K.S., Belgi, G. Management of cutaneous drug reactions. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2, 26–33 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-002-0034-x

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