Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...

Allergic Drug Reactions

Allergic Drug Reactions

Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing numerous...

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When IgE binds to allergens, it triggers the release of mediators– histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins from mast cells and basophils. These mediators cause vasodilation, edema, and inflammation, leading to various symptoms.The primary allergens causing anaphylaxis include food items (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), drugs (e.g., penicillin, asparaginase, corticotropin, heparin),...

Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions

Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions

Idiosyncratic drug reactions represent abnormal chemical responses that vary significantly among individuals, ranging from extreme sensitivity to low doses to insensitivity to high doses. These reactions often occur due to the drug's covalent binding with serum proteins, forming a foreign hapten that triggers an immunotoxicological response. The variability in drug reactions has a strong pharmacogenetic foundation, with genetic differences crucial in how individuals metabolize drugs. For...

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions

Type II hypersensitivity involves IgG and IgM antibodies targeting cell surface antigens, leading to cell destruction. This can occur through complement activation, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), or acting as opsonins for phagocytosis. When excessive, these reactions cause significant tissue damage.Drug-induced hemolytic anemia is a common example, where drugs like penicillin or cephalosporins bind to red blood cells, forming drug-protein complexes. These complexes...

Drug Toxicity: Overview

Drug Toxicity: Overview

Drug toxicity quantifies the harm a compound causes to an organism, varying by dose and potentially impacting whole systems or specific organs like the liver. Toxic reactions may arise from venomous insect or spider bites, with effects ranging from mild symptoms to severe outcomes such as brain damage or death. Common forms of acute poisoning include ethanol intoxication and overdose of pain or fever medications, with substances like GHB and heroin being particularly lethal at doses close to...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

2024 Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Healthy Bones Australia guideline for osteoporosis management and fracture prevention in postmenopausal women and men over 50 years of age.

The Medical journal of Australia·2025

Same author

Promoting oral cancer screening by general practitioners in Australia: Strengthening primary healthcare.

Australian journal of general practice·2024

Same author

Australian consensus: Treatment goals for moderate to severe psoriasis in the era of targeted therapies - Considerations for paediatric patients.

The Australasian journal of dermatology·2024

Same author

Australian consensus: Treatment goals for moderate to severe psoriasis in the era of targeted therapies - Adult patients.

The Australasian journal of dermatology·2023

Same author

Atopic dermatitis in adults: An Australian management consensus.

The Australasian journal of dermatology·2019

Same author

Treatment goals for moderate to severe psoriasis: an Australian consensus.

The Australasian journal of dermatology·2013

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity

Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity

Published on: September 16, 2011

Exanthems and drug reactions.

Morton Rawlin¹

¹Department of General Practice, Sydney University, New South Wales, Australia. morton.rawlin@racgp.org.au

Australian Family Physician

|July 12, 2011

Summary

Drug reactions commonly cause rashes, ranging from mild to severe. Early recognition and management are key, but awareness of severe reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome is crucial.

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Pharmacology
Internal Medicine

Background:

Drug reactions are a frequent cause of cutaneous eruptions.
These reactions can manifest as mild, self-limiting rashes or severe, multi-systemic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a systematic approach for evaluating drug-related exanthems.
To outline appropriate management strategies for various drug-induced rashes.

Main Methods:

Review of clinical presentations of drug-induced rashes.
Categorization of rashes into nonallergic and allergic types.
Discussion of diagnostic and management principles.

Main Results:

Nonallergic drug rashes are often predictable and preventable.

More Related Videos

Precision Implementation of Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) Testing to Assess Individual Variation in Human Inflammatory Response

Precision Implementation of Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) Testing to Assess Individual Variation in Human Inflammatory Response

Published on: October 3, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 31, 2026

Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity

Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity

Published on: September 16, 2011

Precision Implementation of Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) Testing to Assess Individual Variation in Human Inflammatory Response

Precision Implementation of Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) Testing to Assess Individual Variation in Human Inflammatory Response

Published on: October 3, 2019

Allergic drug rashes encompass morbilliform erythema, urticaria, angioedema, erythema multiforme, and vasculitic lesions.

Most drug-related rashes resolve spontaneously after drug withdrawal.

Conclusions:

Prompt identification and supportive care are vital for most drug-induced rashes.
Severe drug reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, necessitate urgent hospital admission and specialist intervention.
Understanding the spectrum of drug eruptions aids in timely and effective patient management.