Drug rash with eosinophilia carbamazepine

Hypersensitivity to barbiturates can result in a life-threatening syndrome called the Drug, Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome with a mortality of 10%. In persons developing hypersensitivity to barbiturates, there is a potential of cross-sensitivity with other aromatic antiepileptics, such as phenytoin and carbamazepine. 

The DRESS syndrome is an acronym for Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also known as the Drug-Induced Pseudolymphoma and Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome. The symptoms of DRESS syndrome usually begin I to 8 weeks after exposure to the offending drug. Common causes include carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, terbinafine, and valproic acid. 

In one case, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) attributed to carbamazepine was successfully managed by switching to phenobarbital [125 ]. 

Ben Fred] N, Aouam K, Chaabane A, Toumi A, Ben Rhomdhane F, Boughattas N, Chakroun M. H5ipersensitiv-ity to amoxicillin after drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) to carbamazepine and allopurinol a possible co-sensitization. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2010 70(2) 273-6. 

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