Last update:

   24-Apr-2007
 

Arch Hellen Med, 23(6), November-December 2006, 595-599

ORIGINAL PAPER

Drug rashes in HIV patients

K.P. KYRIAKIS, V.A. PAPARIZOS, S. KOURKOUNTI, K. LEUWO, C. BOTSI, A. KATSAMBAS
AIDS Unit, "A. Sygros" Hospital, Athens, Greece

OBJECTIVE The multiple therapeutic means used in HIV infection induce side effects with variable intensity. Drug induced hypersensitivity reactions are common and potentially alter the therapeutic strategies.

METHOD In a reference population of 1,096 HIV/AIDS patients skin reactions to medication were studied.

RESULTS A total of 149 drug induced reactions were registered in 126 patients (11.5%). A diffuse maculopapular rush was most commonly seen (75.1%). Urticaria (10%), erythema multiforme (2%), Stevens-Johnson (3.3%) and Lyell's syndromes (2.7%) were also observed. Non-nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) induced 41 reactions in 327 patients (12.5%). Hypersensitivity to nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) or protease inhibitors (PIs) was extremely rare.

CONCLUSIONS Severe life-threatening side-effects to HIV medication are not rare and they are associated with drug category.

Key words: Drug eruption, HIV, Lyell's syndrome, NNRTIs, Sulfonamides.


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