Ann Pharmacol Pharm | Volume 3, Issue 4 | Case Report | Open Access

Drug Induced Reaction: Dilemma of Finding a Real Culprit

Pramod Kumar Sharma, Arup Kumar Misra^*, Ajay Gupta, Rajesh Kumar and Surjit Singh

Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India

^*Correspondance to: Arup Kumar Misra 

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Abstract

DRESS syndrome (drug rash, eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) is an idiosyncratic drug reaction characterized by rash, fever, lymphadenopathy and internal organ involvement. This syndrome causes a diverse array of clinical symptoms, anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks after initiating the offending drug. Many drugs including aromatic anticonvulsants can induce DRESS syndrome. We describe a case of this syndrome presented to us with fever, rash, eosinophilia and increase platelet counts after taking lithium. The syndrome resolved with drug withdrawal but co-incidental re-challenge with lithium, syndrome reoccurred within starting lithium. Prompt diagnosis, withdrawal of the offending drug and treatment with corticosteroids remain the cornerstone to the therapy of DRESS. WHO causality analysis scale indicates certain association of this syndrome with lithium.

Keywords:

Dress syndrome; Lithium; Lamotrigine; Eosinophilia; Corticosteroids

Citation:

Sharma PK, Misra AK, Gupta A, Kumar R, Singh S. Drug Induced Reaction: Dilemma of Finding a Real Culprit. Ann Pharmacol Pharm. 2018; 3(4): 1155.