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Cutaneous Drug Reactions

Mark A Gardon, MS, DO and Kasey M. Scott, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • An adverse cutaneous reaction in response to administration of a drug. Rashes are the most common form of adverse drug reaction (ADR).

  • Severity can range from mild eruptions that reso...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Develop a timeline documenting the onset and duration of all drugs, dosages, and onset of cutaneous eruption. 

PHYSICAL EXAM

May present as a number of different eruption types, includi...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Do not rechallenge with drugs causing urticaria, bullae, angioedema, DRESS, anaphylaxis, or erythema multiforme. 

MEDICATION

  • Immediate withdrawal of offending drug. Depending o...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Patients with anaphylaxis/angioedema should be given EpiPens to be kept at home, work, and in the car for secondary prevention and a Med-Alert b...

ADDITIONAL READING

SEE ALSO

  • Ahmed AM, Pritchard S, Reichenberg J. A review of cutaneous drug eruptions. Clin Geriatr Med. 2013;29(2):527–545.

  • Dodiuk-Gad RP, Chun...

CODES

ICD10

  • L27.1 Loc skin eruption due to drugs and meds taken internally

  • L50.0 Allergic urticaria

  • R21 Rash and other nonspecific skin eruption

  • L27.0 Gen skin eruption due to drugs and meds taken interna...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Virtually, any drug can cause a rash; antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and anti-inflammatory medications are the most common culprits that cause cutaneous drug reactions.

  • Usually self-limi...

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