DRESS syndrome

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DRESS syndrome stands for Drug Rash (or Reaction) with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also known as Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome. The symptoms of DRESS syndrome usually begin 1 to 8 weeks after exposure to the offending drug. Classic symptoms are exanthem, fever and involvement of one or more internal organs. Patients will often have fever, malaise, pharyngitis and lymphadenopathy. Approximately 50% of patients will have hepatitis, 30% will have eosinophilia, 10% will have nephritis and 10% will have pneumonitis. Drugs that commonly induce DRESS syndrome include phenobarbitol, carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine, minocycline, sulfonamides, allopurinol and dapsone.