A Textbook of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
A Textbook of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
A Textbook of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
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effect <strong>of</strong> too high a dose <strong>of</strong> UVB in a subject who has been<br />
exposed to a drug. The reaction is like severe sunburn <strong>and</strong> the<br />
threshold returns to normal when the drug is discontinued.<br />
Photoallergy (like drug allergy) is a cell-mediated immune<br />
reaction that only occurs in certain individuals, is not dose<br />
related <strong>and</strong> may be severe. It is due to a photochemical reaction<br />
caused by UVA where the drug combines with a tissue<br />
protein to form an antigen. These reactions are usually eczematous,<br />
<strong>and</strong> may persist for months or years after withdrawal <strong>of</strong><br />
the drug. Some agents that commonly cause photosensitivity<br />
are shown in Table 51.6.<br />
Key points<br />
• Treatment <strong>of</strong> skin disorders depends on accurate<br />
diagnosis; steroids are not useful for all rashes <strong>and</strong><br />
indeed may cause harm if used inappropriately.<br />
• Acne is treated first line with keratolytics; if systemic<br />
antibiotics are indicated, use oral oxytetracycline or<br />
erythromycin (but do not use tetracyclines in children<br />
under 12 years). Vitamin A analogues should only used<br />
in refractory cases.<br />
• In eczema, it is important to identify the causal agent<br />
<strong>and</strong> minimize/eradicate exposure if possible.<br />
• For dry, scaly eczema, use emollients plus a keratolytic;<br />
for wet eczema use drying lotions or zinc-medicated<br />
b<strong>and</strong>ages.<br />
• Topical glucocorticosteroids are <strong>of</strong>ten required, but do<br />
not use high-potency glucocorticosteroids on the face.<br />
Use the lowest potency steroid for the shortest time<br />
possible required to produce clinical benefit.<br />
• In psoriasis, simple emollients should be used to treat<br />
mild cases. Keratolytics may be used in moderate cases.<br />
• Additional therapies for more severe cases <strong>of</strong> psoriasis<br />
include topical vitamin D analogues, PUVA, oral<br />
acitretin <strong>and</strong> cytotoxic drugs. Although<br />
glucocorticosteroids are effective, tachyphylaxis occurs,<br />
<strong>and</strong> on withdrawal pustular psoriasis may appear.<br />
Case history<br />
A 45-year-old white woman with a previous history <strong>of</strong> one<br />
culture-positive urinary tract infection (UTI) presents with<br />
a three-day history <strong>of</strong> dysuria <strong>and</strong> frequency <strong>of</strong> micturition.<br />
Her urinalysis shows moderate blood <strong>and</strong> protein <strong>and</strong> is positive<br />
for nitrates. She is started on a seven-day course <strong>of</strong><br />
co-trimoxazole, two tablets twice a day, as she has a history<br />
<strong>of</strong> penicillin allergy with urticaria <strong>and</strong> wheezing. In the early<br />
morning <strong>of</strong> the last day <strong>of</strong> therapy, she develops a generalized<br />
rash on her body, which is itchy <strong>and</strong> worsens, despite the<br />
ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS INVOLVING THE SKIN 419<br />
fact that she has not taken the last two doses <strong>of</strong> her antibiotic,<br />
her UTI symptoms having resolved. By the following<br />
morning she feels much worse, with itchy eyes, has had fevers<br />
overnight <strong>and</strong> is complaining <strong>of</strong> arthralgia <strong>and</strong> buccal soreness,<br />
<strong>and</strong> is seen by her community physician. He notes conjunctivitis,<br />
with swollen eyelids, soreness <strong>and</strong> ulceration on<br />
her lips <strong>and</strong> buccal <strong>and</strong> vaginal mucosa. She has a generalized<br />
maculo-papular rash which involves her face <strong>and</strong> has become<br />
confluent in areas on her abdomen <strong>and</strong> chest, <strong>and</strong> there is<br />
evidence <strong>of</strong> skin blistering <strong>and</strong> desquamation on her chest.<br />
Question<br />
What is the most likely diagnosis here? What is the probable<br />
cause, <strong>and</strong> how should this patient be managed?<br />
Answer<br />
The most likely diagnosis <strong>of</strong> a rapidly progressive generalized<br />
body rash involving the eyes, mouth <strong>and</strong> genitalia<br />
with systemic fever <strong>and</strong> early desquamation is erythema<br />
multiforme-major (Stevens Johnson syndrome, see<br />
Chapter 12, Figures 12.2 <strong>and</strong> 12.3). The most common<br />
causes <strong>of</strong> this syndrome are viral infections, especially herpes<br />
virus, drugs <strong>and</strong> (less frequently) systemic bacterial<br />
infections, such as meningitis, nephritis <strong>and</strong> streptococcal<br />
infection. Many drugs can cause this adverse reaction, but<br />
the most commonly incriminated classes <strong>of</strong> drugs are antibacterial<br />
agents such as sulphonamides, β-lactams (especially<br />
penicillins), vancomycin <strong>and</strong> rifampicin, anticonvulsants,<br />
salicylates <strong>and</strong> other NSAIDs, <strong>and</strong> allopurinol. In this patient<br />
the most likely aetiology is that she is taking co-trimoxazole,<br />
which contains 400 mg <strong>of</strong> sulphamethoxazole <strong>and</strong><br />
80 mg <strong>of</strong> trimethoprim per tablet. Stopping the <strong>of</strong>fending<br />
agent is the most important part <strong>of</strong> her initial management.<br />
Her further management should include admission to hospital<br />
for intravenous fluids to maintain hydration, supportive<br />
care for the skin in order to minimize further desquamation<br />
<strong>and</strong> secondary infection with sterile wet dressings <strong>and</strong><br />
an aseptic environment, analgesia if necessary, <strong>and</strong> maintenance<br />
<strong>and</strong> monitoring <strong>of</strong> her hepatic <strong>and</strong> renal function. If<br />
her condition is very severe, the patient may need to be<br />
transferred to a burns unit. Short courses <strong>of</strong> high-dose glucocorticosteroids<br />
early in the disease have been recommended,<br />
but controlled clinical studies have not demonstrated the<br />
benefit <strong>of</strong> glucocorticosteroids in this condition. The disease<br />
may progress for up to four or five days <strong>and</strong> recovery may<br />
take from one to several weeks. The mortality rate for<br />
Stevens Johnson syndrome is �5%, but increases to about<br />
30% if the diagnosis is toxic epidermal necrolysis with more<br />
extensive desquamation.<br />
FURTHER READING<br />
Series <strong>of</strong> articles relating to current treatment <strong>of</strong> dermatological conditions.<br />
<strong>Clinical</strong> Medicine 2005; 5: 551–75.