Cutaneous reactions to alimentary tract medications: results of a seven-year surveillance program and review of the literature. Gruppo Italiano Studi Epidemiologici in Dermatologia (GISED).
BACKGROUND
No systemic review of skin reactions to alimentary tract medications is available in the literature.


OBJECTIVE
We reviewed the reactions to alimentary tract medications reported to the surveillance system of the Italian Group for Epidemiologic Research in Dermatology (GISED).


METHODS
Between January 1988 and December 1994, 202 dermatologists in Italy reported to the coordinating center for GISED all the adverse reactions they observed during prespecified 2-month monitoring periods. Reactions classified under ATC codes A02-A04, A06, A07 and A09 were used for this analysis.


RESULTS
Of 2,789 reactions, 48 were attributed to alimentary tract medications. Urticaria/angioedema and exanthemas accounted for about 70% of these reactions. Fixed eruptions and lichenoid dermatitis accounted for a large part of the remaining reactions. Antiulcers and antiemetics appeared remarkably safe.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data are reassuring with regard to the cutaneous reaction profile of several drugs taken for diseases of the alimentary tract.
D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents