Cutaneous adverse reactions to valdecoxib distinct from Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the type of severe skin reactions caused by valdecoxib treatment.


METHODS
Case registry of severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.


METHODS
All hospitals in Germany that treat patients with severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.


METHODS
Five case notifications of Stevens-Johnson syndrome after the use of valdecoxib were reevaluated following the withdrawal of valdecoxib on April 7, 2005.


RESULTS
A thorough review of all reported cases of severe skin reactions caused by valdecoxib revealed extensive erythematous, targetlike skin eruptions in addition to facial edema and dyspnea. Histologic changes, clinical pattern, and outcome demonstrated a distinct disease entity.


CONCLUSIONS
Valdecoxib induces severe skin reactions different from those of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in clinical and histopathologic findings, course, and outcome.
Ziemer
Mirjana
M
Department of Dermatology, University of Jena, Erfurter Strasse 35, D-07743 Jena, Germany. mirjana.ziemer@derma.uni-jena.de
Wiesend
Christiane L
CL
Vetter
Robert
R
Weiss
Johannes
J
Blaschke
Sabine
S
Norgauer
Johannes
J
Mockenhaupt
Maja
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007555:Isoxazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; C406224:valdecoxib; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides