title: [Allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity syndrome].
abstract: Allopurinol is an effective urate lowering drug, which is usually well-tolerated with no adverse effects in most cases, but about 2% of the treated patients develop a skin rash, and patients may experience severe allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity syndrome.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the authors was to summarize and present the clinical manifestations of allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity in patients treated at the Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged in order to identify potential associations with this syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of all patients who were referred to the department with allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity syndrome in the last four years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During four years, 11 patients were treated with allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity syndrome. The average age was 70.3 years. Before the initiation of allopurinol therapy, 36% of patients had already suffered from various degrees of renal impairment, and 72% of them had been taking thiazide diuretics. Cutaneous manifestations were mainly generalized, erythematous, maculopapular exanthemas (9 patients, 82%), and two patients showed signs of erythema multiforme (18%). Asymptomatic hyperuricemia was the indication for allopurinol therapy in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity syndrome is a severe, life-threatening disease. Administration of allopurinol should be initiated with clear indications in appropriate dose. Old age, underlying renal impairment and concomitant thiazide diuretic intake should be considered as potential risk factors for developing hypersensitivity syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Bőrgyógyászati és Allergológiai Klinika Szeged Korányi fasor 6. kinyoagnes@gmail.com
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kinyó
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lakatos
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gyulai
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.forename: Zsuzsanna
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bata-Csörgő
authors.forename: Lajos
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kemény
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003873:Dermatitis, Exfoliative / Q000139:chemically induced; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004892:Erythema Multiforme / Q000139:chemically induced; D005076:Exanthema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010267:Parapsoriasis / Q000139:chemically induced; D051437:Renal Insufficiency; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D006074:Gout Suppressants; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D000493:Allopurinol