title: The anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome.
abstract: Anticonvulsants can cause a characteristic hypersensitivity reaction. This multisystem reaction typically presents as fever, mucocutaneous eruptions, lymphadenopathy and hepatitis. There is cross-reactivity between different anticonvulsants, which complicates subsequent therapy. We report three cases to illustrate both the typical features, and less common complications, of this under-recognized and life-threatening syndrome.
authors.affiliation: St John's Dermatology Centre, St Thomas' Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Handfield-Jones
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Besse
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: McGibbon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects; D011324:Primidone / Q000009:adverse effects; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D014581:Urticaria / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011324:Primidone; D002220:Carbamazepine; D010672:Phenytoin