Potassium Para-aminobenzoate (Potaba) induced DRESS syndrome. A case report

Abstract

Potassium Para-aminobenzoate (Potaba) is an antifibrotic agent indicated for use in the treatment of early stage Peyronie’s disease. It exerts a protective effect by stabilizing the curvature, reducing the plaque size and improving pain perception. It is considered relatively safe with no significant side effects reported other than gastrointestinal irritation. In this paper, we report a case of DRESS syndrome associated with Potaba administration. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a drug related allergic reaction with systemic manifestations and a significant mortality rate of up to 10%. It is a delayed type IVb hypersensitivity reaction characterised by fever, skin rash, lymphadenopathy, haematological abnormalities and multiple internal organ involvement such as the heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas and lungs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case of Potaba induced DRESS syndrome. The patient was managed conservatively and had fully recovered within 9 weeks after the discontinuation of the causative drug. Timely diagnosis of the condition is of paramount importance to avoid multiple organ damage since there is no disease specific treatment so far and supportive therapy with discontinuation of the triggering agent is the indicated response.