Serious and life-threatening drug eruptions

Drug eruptions are common iatrogenic diseases. Although most of these conditions are benign and self-limited when use of the responsible drug is discontinued, several subtypes of drug eruptions are characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. The more dangerous types include erythroderma, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Relatively few medications are repeatedly implicated in the pathogenesis of severe reactions. Prompt recognition of drug eruptions and early intervention are necessary to prevent the serious consequences of this group of iatrogenic diseases.