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Rates of cutaneous reactions to drugs
1Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA.mbigby@caregroup.harvard.edu
Archives of Dermatology
|June 19, 2001
Summary
This review found that drug-induced skin reactions, like rashes and hives, occur in 0-8% of patients, with antibiotics being the most common cause. Reliable data on these adverse cutaneous reactions are available for many medications.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacovigilance
- Dermatology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Adverse cutaneous reactions are common side effects of drug therapy.
- Quantifying the incidence of these reactions is crucial for patient safety and drug development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the available data on the incidence rates of drug-induced skin reactions.
- To assess the validity, magnitude, precision, and applicability of this data.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of the medical literature was conducted.
- MEDLINE database (1966-August 2000) and bibliographies were searched for relevant studies.
- Nine studies with primary data on cutaneous reaction rates were evaluated using established guidelines for harm and prognosis.
Main Results:
- Morbilliform drug exanthem and urticaria were the most frequent adverse cutaneous reactions.
- Reported reaction rates ranged from 0% to 8%.
- Antibiotics exhibited the highest reaction rates, with several classes showing 1-8% incidence.
Conclusions:
- Despite variations in study methodologies and timeframes, the findings demonstrate consistent results regarding drug-induced skin reaction rates.
- Reliable incidence rates and confidence intervals are available for numerous frequently prescribed drugs.