title: Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome.
abstract: Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is an uncommon but potentially fatal adverse effect that can occur from exposure to phenytoin, carbamazepine, or phenobarbital. It has diverse clinical features and a variable presentation which results in a delay in making the diagnosis. The syndrome commonly begins within 3 weeks after initiation of an anticonvulsant. Patients typically present with a constellation of fever, usually followed by the development of a rash of variable severity and type, and lymphadenopathy. In patients presenting with these features, the clinician should have a high index of suspicion for AHS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Morkunas
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004347:Drug Interactions; D000078328:Felbamate; D006801:Humans; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D002220:Carbamazepine; D010672:Phenytoin; D000078328:Felbamate; D010634:Phenobarbital