Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome

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Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome

Anticonvulsant/sulfonamide hypersensitivity syndrome is a potentially serious hypersensitivity reaction that can be seen with medications with an aromatic amine chemical structure, such as aromatic anticonvulsants (e.g. diphenylhydantoin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine), sulfonamides, or other medications with an aromatic amine (e.g., procainamide). Cross-reactivity should not occur between medications with an aromatic amine and medications without an aromatic amine (e.g., sulfonylureas, thiazide diuretics, furosemide, and acetazolamide); therefore, these medications can be safely used in the future. [1]

Contents

The hypersensitivity syndrome is characterized by a rash that is initially rash that appears similar to measles (morbilliform). [2] :118 The rash may also be one of the potentially lethal severe cutaneous adverse reactions, the DRESS syndrome, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, or toxic epidermal necrolysis. [3] [4] Systemic manifestations occur at the time of skin manifestations and include a high number of eosinophils in the blood, liver inflammation, and interstitial nephritis. However, a subgroup of patients may become hypothyroid as part of an autoimmune thyroiditis up to 2 months after the initiation of symptoms. [1]

This kind of adverse drug reaction is caused by the accumulation of toxic metabolites; it is not the result of an IgE-mediated reaction. The risk of first-degree relatives developing the same hypersensitivity reaction is higher than in the general population. [1]

As this syndrome can present secondary to multiple anticonvulsants, the general term "anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome" (AHS) is favored over the original descriptive term "dilantin hypersensitivity syndrome." [2] :118 As of 2015, two cases of AHS have been reported that manifested during long-term treatment with multiple anti-seizure medications. Death due to multiple organ failure can occur; symptoms also mimic lymphoma and AHS has been called "pseudolymphoma" as a result. Changing the medications involved to those in a different class can avoid further problems. [5]

See also

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Severe cutaneous adverse reactions are a group of potentially lethal adverse drug reactions that involve the skin and mucous membranes of various body openings such as the eyes, ears, and inside the nose, mouth, and lips. In more severe cases, SCARs also involves serious damage to internal organs. SCARs includes five syndromes: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms ; Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS); Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Stevens-Johnson/toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap syndrome (SJS/TEN); and Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). The five disorders have similar pathophysiologies, i.e. disease-causing mechanisms, for which new strategies are in use or development to identify individuals predisposed to develop the SCARs-inducing effects of specific drugs and thereby avoid treatment with them. Maculopapular rash (MPR) is a less-well defined and benign form of drug-induced adverse skin reactions; while not classified in the SCARs group, it shares with SCARS a similar pathophysiology and is caused by some of the same drugs which cause SCARs.

The p-i concept refers to the pharmacological interaction of drugs with immune receptors. It explains a form of drug hypersensitivity, namely T cell stimulation, which can lead to various acute inflammatory manifestations such as exanthems, eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal nercrolysis, and complications upon withdrawing the drug.

References

  1. 1 2 3 ACP Medicine Board Review from Medscape (2005)
  2. 1 2 James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN   0-7216-2921-0.
  3. Cho YT, Yang CW, Chu CY (2017). "Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS): An Interplay among Drugs, Viruses, and Immune System". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 18 (6): 1243. doi: 10.3390/ijms18061243 . PMC   5486066 . PMID   28598363.
  4. Lerch M, Mainetti C, Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Harr T (February 2018). "Current Perspectives on Stevens–Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis". Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology. 54 (1): 147–176. doi:10.1007/s12016-017-8654-z. PMID   29188475. S2CID   46796285.
  5. Geyduk, Ayfer; et al. (2015). "Late-onset Anticonvulsant Hypersensitivity Syndrome Mimicking Lymphoma". Internal Medicine. 54 (24): 3201–3204. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.5111 . ISSN   1349-7235. PMID   26666613.