The role of drug, dose, and the tolerance/intolerance of new drugs in multiple drug hypersensitivity syndrome.

Abstract

Multiple drug hypersensitivity syndrome (MDH) is used to describe persons with a drug hypersensitivity reaction (DHR) to at least two chemically unrelated drugs, confirmed by skin test or in vitro assay. Medical records of 25 patients with MDH, tested and confirmed at our allergy division, were retrospectively evaluated in terms of clinical course, involved drugs, daily drug dose, latency periods, test results of skin test and cellular assays, and tolerated drugs in subsequent pharmacological treatments. Multiple drug hypersensitivity syndrome almost exclusively appeared as a delayed, often severe DHR and started in 14/25 with a drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Penicillins (13/25, 52.0%) and cephalosporins (6/25, 24.0%), typical high-dose drugs, were most often identified as elicitors of MDH, especially at the first DHR, followed by aromatic antiepileptics (7/25, 28.0%), vancomycin (4/25, 16.0%), and antibiotic sulfonamides (4/25, 16.0%). Cephalosporins, clindamycin, and radio contrast media (RCM) were mainly involved in subsequent DHR. The median daily drug dose of all drug trigger was 1875.0mg (662.5; 2100.0) at the first DHR and 600.0mg (300.0; 1300.0) at subsequent DHR, P=.0420. High-dose drugs, especially beta-lactam antibiotics, RCM and clindamycin, are common elicitors of subsequent DHR in patients with MDH. Macrolides, quinolones, doxycycline, nonaromatic antiepileptics, and paracetamol were often tolerated. As the same drugs elicited both flare-up reactions and real DHR, drug-induced flare-up reactions may be precursors of a possible second DHR and MDH. The administration of highly dosed drugs should be avoided in patients at risk for MDH.