Drug eruptions: approaching the diagnosis of drug-induced skin diseases
TABLE 1
Steps in the approach to diagnose a cutaneous adverse
reaction
Working diagnosis
1-Initial clinical impression
2-Differential diagnosis
Data evaluation
3-Analysis of drug exposure
4-Analysis of laboratory results and diagnostic tests
5-Analysis of literature
Final diagnosis
6-Prioritization of diagnosis
including causality assessment
TABLE 2
Prioritization of diagnosis based on:
Analysis of drug exposure
--Timing of drug exposure
--Dechallenge of the drug
--Rechallenge of the drug
--Drug blood level
--Drug interactions
Analysis of literature
--Association of the disease with the drug
--Frequency of the adverse drug reaction with the drug
Analysis of laboratory results and diagnostic tests
--Blood work (CBC, enzymes, biochemistry, etc.)
--Culture (skin, blood, tissue, etc.)
--Medical imaging (X ray, scan, etc.)
--Skin biopsy (histology, immunofluorescence, etc.)
--In vitro testing (LTA, RAST, etc.)
--In vivo testing (skin testing, oral provocation, etc.)
TABLE 3
Drugs commonly associated with
EDE
Allopurinol
Amoxicillin
Amphotericin B
Ampicillin
Barbiturates
Captopril
Carbamazepine
Chlorpromazine
Enalapril
Gold
Lithium
Naproxen
Oral hypoglycemic agents
Penicillin
Phenytoin
Piroxicam
Quinidine
Sulfonamide antibiotics
Thiazides
EDE: Exanthematous drug eruption
TABLE 4
Drugs commonly associated with
DHS
Aromatic anticonvulsants
Carbamazepine
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin
Primidone
Non-aromatic anticonvulsants
Lamotrigine
Sulfonamide antibiotics
Sulfadiazine
Sulfamethoxazole
Others
Allopurinol
Dapsone
Minocycline
Nitrofurantoin
Terbinafine
DHS: Drug hypersensitivity syndrome
TABLE 5
Drugs commonly associated with urticaria
ACE Inhibitors
Aminoglycosides
Anticonvulsants
Azole antifungals
Cephalosporins
Narcotic analgesics
NSAIDs
Oral hypoglycemic agents
Penicillin and its derivatives
Proton pump inhibitors
Radio-contrast dye
Salicylates
Sulfonamide antibiotics
Tetracyclines
ACE: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
NSAIDs: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
TABLE 6
Drugs commonly associated with
angioedema
ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril)
Acetaminophen
Acetylsalicylic acid
Amoxicillin
Ampicillin
Azithromycine
Ceftriaxone
Ciprofloxacin
Diclofenac
Hydrochlorothiazide
Ketoprofen
Losartan
Naproxen
Omeprazole
Penicillin
Radio-contrast dye
Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
ACE: Angiotensin converting enzyme
TABLE 7
Drugs commonly associated with
SSLR
Amoxicillin
Ampicillin
Beta-blockers
Bupropion
Cefaclor
Cefprozil
Cephalexin
Doxycycline
Minocycline
Penicillin
Sulfonamide
SSLR: Serum Sickness-Like Reaction
TABLE 8
Drugs commonly associated with
FDE
Acetaminophen
Acetylsalicylic acid
Allopurinol
Chloral hydrate
Dapsone
Dextromethorphan
Diflunisal
Erythromycin
Metamizole
Metronidazole
Nystatin
Penicillin
Phenolphthalein
Piroxicam
Pseudoephedrine
Sulfadiazine
Sulfamethoxazole--trimethoprim
Tetracyclines
Tetrahydrazoline
FDE: fixed drug eruptions
TABLE 9
Drugs commonly associated with drug-induced
pemphigus
Captopril *
Gold sodium thiomalate *
Levodopa
Penicillamine *
Penicillin
Phenobarbital
Piroxicam
Propranolol
Pyritinol *
Rifampin
Thioprine *
* sulfur containing
TABLE 10
Drugs commonly associated with
drug-induced bullous pemphigoid
Ampicillin
Captopril
Chloroquine
Enalapril
Furosemide
Penicillamine
Penicillin
PUVA
Salicylazosulfapyridine
Sulfasalazine
PUVA: Psoralen with Ultra-Violet A
TABLE 11
Drugs commonly associated with
drug-induced linear IgA
dermatosis
Amiodarone
Atorvastatin
Captopril
Ceftriaxone
Diclofenac
Furosemide
Lithium
Metronidazole
Penicillin
Phenytoin
Piroxicam
Rifampin
Sulfamethoxazole--trimethoprim
Vancomycin
IgA: Immunoglobulin A
TABLE 12
Characteristics and distinctions between the EM spectrum and the TEN
spectrum
EM minor EM minor
Target lesions
-typicals targets Typical targets Typical targets
-atypicals targets Raised atypical targets
Distribution Acral Acral
Blisters No Yes
Epidermal detachment [empty set] <10%
Macules Erythematous Erythematous
Shape Regular Regular
Mucous membrane No Yes (milder)
Recurrence Yes Yes
Fever No No
Severity
Death No No
Age Younger Younger
Sex Male>Female Male>Female
Association with
-collagene vascular No No
disease
-HIV infection No No
-cancer No No
Hispathology
-necrotic Ranging from individual cells
keratinocytes
-dermal infiltrate extensive intermediate
-erythrocyte
extravasation
Cause HSV HSV
SJS TEN
Target lesions
-typicals targets
-atypicals targetS Flat atypical Flat atypical targets
targets
Distribution Widespread Widespread
Blisters Yes Yes
Epidermal detachment <10% >30%
Macules Erythematous Erythematous
Purpuric Purpuric
Shape Irregular Irregular
Mucous membrane Yes (severe) Yes (severe)
Recurrence No No
Fever Yes Yes
Severity
Death Yes Yes
Age Older Older
Sex Male
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