Allopurinol-Induced Drug Reaction With Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms: A Case Report

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is an uncommon yet serious adverse cutaneous drug reaction that results from a hypersensitivity reaction. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms is often misdiagnosed because of vague and confounding signs and symptoms. The most common clinical manifestations of DRESS are shared with many other diseases and include rash, lymphadenopathy, and fever. Because the syndrome can be difficult to diagnose, patients are often in the late stages of the disease process before treatment is initiated. The mainstay of treatment is stopping the culprit medication. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms is associated with a high mortality rate, most often from liver failure and failure to diagnose. Emergency providers should be able to recognize the clinical manifestations of DRESS, know what diagnostic studies are indicated, and be familiar with the appropriate treatment.