Dermatology
Drug Eruption / DRESS
Range of drug eruptions — recognise red flag (DRESS, SJS/TEN, AGEP), stop drug, supportive care, organ monitoring in DRESS.
Source: BAD; UK Drug Allergy Network
Step 1 of ~6
info
Categorise
Common drug eruptions:
• Maculopapular (morbilliform) — most common; benign; resolve days-weeks after stopping drug.
• Urticaria + angioedema — see urticaria pathway.
• Fixed drug eruption — recurrent at same site with re-exposure; round / oval; sulfa, NSAIDs, paracetamol, tetracyclines.
• Photosensitivity — sun-exposed areas; tetracyclines, NSAIDs, thiazides, amiodarone.
• Acneiform / pustular.
• AGEP (Acute Generalised Exanthematous Pustulosis) — pustules on erythematous background; fever; aminopenicillins.
• DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia + Systemic Symptoms) — see below.
• SJS / TEN — see dedicated pathway.
ALWAYS thorough drug history — last 2 months + supplements + OTC.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Hydroxychloroquine (Ophthalmic Toxicity Monitoring) · Antimalarial — Ophthalmic Toxicity Monitoring Drug
- Phenylephrine · Alpha-1 Adrenergic Agonist (Pure Vasoconstrictor)
- Carbimazole · Antithyroid Drug
- Diclofenac · Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
- Zopiclone · Non-Benzodiazepine Hypnotic (Z-drug)
- Diclofenac · NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)
Pathways
- Suspicious Pigmented Lesion — Melanoma Pathway · NICE NG14 2015 / BAD
- Cellulitis and Erysipelas · NICE NG141 2019 / CREST
- Psoriasis — Severity Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG153 2019 / BAD
- Atopic Eczema — Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG95 2023
- Urticaria and Angioedema · BSACI / EAACI Guidelines 2022
- Acne Vulgaris — Grading and Treatment · NICE NG198 2021 / BAD
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.