Drug Reactions Flashcards
(41 cards)
name risk factors for drug eruptions
- young adults > infants/elderly
- female
- concomitant disease eg viral infections, CF
- immune status
- drugs
- hapten forming
- high molecular weight
- beta lactam
- NSAIDs
hapten
- molecule that when bound to carrier molecule can elicit an immune response
- eg urushiol, the toxin found in poison ivy
which drugs cause gingival hyperplasia
calcium channel blockers

drug manifestations of co-trixomazole
- erythema nodosum, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnsons syndrome
causes of a maculopapular or exanthematous rash
- penicillin, cephalosporins, sulphonamide, anti-epileptics (carbamazepine)
Maculopapular or Exanthematous rash
- the most common type
- occurs 4-12 days after drug
- type IV hypersensitivity reaction
- Usually mild and self-limiting, but can progress to severe life-threatening reaction
- Presenting with generalised erythematous macule and papules with/out fever and eosinophilia
- Wide spread symmetrical rash
- Pruritus

name 6 indicators of a potenitally more severe reaction
- Involvement of mucous membranes and face (oedema and erythema)
- Widespread confluent erythema
- Fever (>38.5)
- Blisters, purpura and necrosis
- SOB, wheezing
- Lymphadenopathy and arthralgia
what does a maculopapular/exanthematous rash resemble
measles
what is a true allergy due to
immunological mechanism
urticarial rash
- usually due to true allergy or pseudoallergy
- characterise by wheals or angioedema
- associated with anaphylaxis
how quickly does an uritcarial rash come on
within the hour
wheals
- A wheal is a superficial skin-coloured or pale skin swelling, usually surrounded by erythema. Usually very itchy, may have a burning sensation

angioedema
- Angioedema is a deeper swelling within the skin or mucous membranes
true allergy
IgE mediated hypersensitivity reaction after re challenge with drug causes an urticarial reaction
- pencillin - 0.05%
pseudoallergy
- direct release of infalmmatory medaitors from mast cells on first exposure causes a urticarial reaction
- eg NSAIDs, opiates cause mast cell degranulation
- eg Penicillin and Cephalosporins trigger IgE responses
which drugs can cause acne
steroids, androgens
drugs inducing bullous pemphigoid
- ACE inhibitors, penicillin, furosemide
fixed drug eruption
- lesions occur in the same area every time a particular drug is taken - the number of sites involved may increase
- well demarcated red painful round/ovoid plaques
- may resolve with persistent pigmentation once the drug is stopped

which drugs can cause a fixed drug eruption
paracetamol, tetracycline, sulfonamide and aspirin
SJS and TEN
- SJS and TEN are believed to be variants of the same condition, distinct from erythema multiforme
- Rare, acute, serious and potentially fatal skin reaction in which there is sheet-like skin and mucosal loss
- Anyone on medication can develop it unpredictably.

which drugs are known to cause SJS/TEN
- NSAIDs, steroids, methotrexate, allopurinol, sulphonamides, co-trimoxazole, anti-convulsants and penicillins
what is the most common infectious cause of SJS/TEN
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
clinical features of SJS/TEN
- prodromal illness resembling URT infection
- Abrupt onset of tender/painful skin rash that spreads rapidly. Blisters merge to form sheets of skin detachment
- Nikolsky’s sign positive
- eyes: symbblepharon, conjunctivitis, anterior uveitis, corneal ulcers etc
side effects of phenytoin
an anti convulsant
- An antifolate drugs that can cause folate deficiency resulting in macrocytic anaemia. A symptom of this is tiredness
- Duputyren’s contracture
- Gingival hypertrophy
- Morbilliform rash/acne
- SJS/TEN
