Exanthematous drug eruption (EDE; also known as morbilliform drug eruption) is the most common of all medication-induced drug rashes. It consists of red macules and papules that often arise on the trunk and spread symmetrically to involve the proximal extremities. In severe cases, lesions coalesce and may lead to erythroderma. Palms, soles, and mucous membranes may also be involved. Pruritus is a common complaint. While most patients are afebrile, a low-grade fever may occur in more severe reactions. Onset is usually between 4 and 14 days after initiating a medication. The time to eruption may be shorter if the patient had previously been sensitized to the triggering medication. The eruption may occur even if the offending medication has already been discontinued.
EDE is most commonly seen with the use of antibiotics (penicillins and sulfas), allopurinol, phenytoin, barbiturates, chlorpromazine, carbamazepine, gold, d-penicillamine, captopril, naproxen, and piroxicam, but many other drug culprits have been reported, including chemotherapeutic, biologic, and immunotherapeutic (checkpoint inhibitor) agents.
Exanthematous drug eruption in Adult
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
L27.0 – Generalized skin eruption due to drugs and medicaments taken internally
SNOMEDCT:
238814003 – Maculopapular drug eruption
L27.0 – Generalized skin eruption due to drugs and medicaments taken internally
SNOMEDCT:
238814003 – Maculopapular drug eruption
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Viral exanthem (such as measles, rubella, adenovirus, parvovirus, enterovirus, acute human immunodeficiency virus) – Mucous membrane involvement is strongly suggestive of viral infection rather than exanthematous drug eruption.
- Mononucleosis – Patients with mononucleosis who receive aminopenicillins will often develop exanthematous eruptions.
- Evolving / early drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome – Consider this diagnosis if the patient appears unwell, with temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher and facial edema.
- Early Stevens-Johnson syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis – Should manifest significant mucous membrane lesions, and have associated tenderness, not itch.
- Toxin-mediated erythema, such as toxic shock syndrome or early staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
- Scarlet fever – A sandpaper-like eruption accompanies a sore throat and fever.
- Human immunodeficiency virus primary infection
- Acute graft-versus-host disease
- Engraftment syndrome
- Early erythema multiforme
- Contact dermatitis (allergic, irritant)
- Papular urticaria
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Kawasaki disease
- Secondary syphilis
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.
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References
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Last Reviewed:04/09/2017
Last Updated:03/21/2023
Last Updated:03/21/2023
Patient Information for Exanthematous drug eruption in Adult
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Exanthematous drug eruption in Adult