Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Dermatology
Cutaneous drug eruptions and drug toxicities
Abstract
Drug eruptions range from common nuisance eruptions to rare life-threatening drug-induced diseases. Certain classes of drugs are often implicated.
Key Points
- Cutaneous reactions due to drug therapy are common and are an important cause of patient morbidity and mortality.
- Adverse reactions to drugs range from common nuisance eruptions to rare life-threatening drug-induced diseases.
- Although antimicrobial agents, NSAIDs and anticonvulsants are the most commonly implicated drugs in adverse drug reactions, all drugs should be suspected if there is a sudden onset cutaneous reaction in a patient taking a medication.
- The severity of systemic involvement is not necessarily indicated by the severity of the cutaneous reaction so all patients presenting with a cutaneous eruption due to a drug should be further evaluated for systemic symptoms and signs.
- Lives can be saved by appropriate drug dosing, consideration of intercurrent drug therapies and diseases, early recognition of potentially severe reactions and appropriate management.
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