The anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome.
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.
Handfield-Jones
S E
SE
St John's Dermatology Centre, St Thomas' Hospital, London, U.K.
Jenkins
R E
RE
Whittaker
S J
SJ
Besse
C P
CP
McGibbon
D H
DH
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
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011324:Primidone; D002220:Carbamazepine; D010672:Phenytoin