Life-threatening adverse reaction to a commonly used drug (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome)

Abstract

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is one of the severe cutaneous adverse reactions with a mortality of 10% and is characterized by hematological abnormalities and organ involvement. Many drugs have been implicated in DRESS, and most often, it is related to aromatic anticonvulsants. We hereby report a case of DRESS syndrome precipitated due to allopurinol, the diagnostic challenge it presented, and the successful treatment with corticosteroids.