Introduction
Drug Reactions 21
Christina Bergqvist, Saskia Ingen-Housz-Oro and Olivier Chosidow
Key features
The skin is one of the most common targets for adverse drug reactions
To determine the cause of the eruption, a rigorous approach based on clinical characteristics, chronologic factors, and a literature search is required
Exanthematous (morbilliform) eruptions and urticaria are the two most common forms of cutaneous drug reactions
When an exanthematous eruption is associated with fever, lymphadenopathy, and/or edema of the face, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)/drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) should be considered and an evaluation for systemic involvement conducted
Less common drug reactions include fixed, lichenoid, pustular, granulomatous, pseudolymphomatous, acneiform, bullous, photosensitivity, and vasculitic reactions, as well as Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
Introduction of targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhib- itors to treat cancer has led to a wide range of cutaneous adverse reactions
Early withdrawal of all potentially responsible drugs is essential, particularly in the case of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs)