Severe Adverse Cutaneous Reactions to Drugs

Although the rate of acute severe adverse cutaneous reactions to medications is low, these reactions can affect anyone who takes medications and can result in death or disability 1 . Even a small number of cases associated with a particular drug may alter the recommendations for its use 2 – 4 . Prompt differentiation of severe adverse cutaneous reactions from less serious skin disorders may be difficult. Rapid recognition of severe reactions is essential. Prompt withdrawal of the offending drug is often the most important action to minimize morbidity. Adverse cutaneous reactions to drugs are frequent, affecting 2 to 3 percent of hospitalized . . .