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Essentials of Diagnosis
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Usually, abrupt onset of widespread, symmetric erythematous eruption
May mimic any inflammatory skin condition
Constitutional symptoms (malaise, arthralgia, headache, and fever) may be present
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General Considerations
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Only a minority of cutaneous drug reactions result from allergy
Penicillin and other β-lactam antibiotics and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are the most common causes of urticarial and maculopapular reactions
Drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction (also known as drug eruption with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [DRESS]) is most often caused by
Anticonvulsants
Allopurinol
Sulfonamides
Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis most commonly occur in response to
Antibiotics
Sulfonamides
Anticonvulsants
Allopurinol
NSAIDs
Phenolphthalein, pyrazolone derivatives, tetracyclines, NSAIDs, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and barbiturates are the major causes of fixed drug eruptions
Calcium channel blockers are a common cause of pruritus and eczemas in the elderly
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