[Fatal outcome in allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome]

A 76 year-old otherwise healthy man was treated with allopurinol after a single episode of gout. He developed allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome with epidermal necrolysis, dermal vasculitis, impaired renal function, fever, gastrointestinal bleeding, and possibly pulmonary vasculitis. The outcome was lethal. Controlling allopurinol therapy according to renal function is emphasized.