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Side effects of medicines
Redness of the skin
Red skin rash all over the body
There is a sore on the side
Rashes
Allergy got triggered because I ate something that I am allergic to
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Drug Rash?
A severe allergic reaction that may result in fevers, a severe rash and organ damage in reaction to medications.
Typical Symptoms of Drug Rash
- Skin over the entire body is red
- Recently started a new medication, from 3 days to 1 month ago
- Swelling of the face and lip
- Skin problem on the chest, tummy or back
- Rashes appeared after taking medicine
- Recent blood transfusion
- Taking medication for seizures or epilepsy
- Difficulty breathing after contact with possible allergens
Diagnostic Questions for Drug Rash
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Is your whole body red?
- Have you started a new medication recently?
- Are your face or lips swollen?
- Are there any skin problems on your stomach, chest, or back?
- Did you develop a rash after taking medication?
Treatment of Drug Rash
The specific treatment depends on the type of reaction. In all cases, the priority is to identify and discontinue the culprit drug. The doctor may prescribe creams to reduce inflammation and oral medications to alleviate itchiness.
Reviewed By:
Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.
Yuta Sasaoka, MD (Pediatrics)
Dr. Sasaoka graduated from the Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine. After working in the Department of Pediatrics at Hakodate Municipal Hospital, the Emergency Center at Hakodate Municipal Hospital, and the Department of Emergency Medicine at Tokyo Metropolitan Children's General Medical Center, he joined the Sapporo Medical University Advanced Emergency Medical Center in April 2020. Dr. Sasaoka is well versed in pediatric emergency medicine, covering a wide range of pediatrics and emergency medicine. He is also a certified AHA-PALS instructor and focuses on pediatric secondary life support education at the Hokkaido Training Site.
Content updated on Feb 19, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Diseases Related to Drug Rash
FAQs
Q.
New Rash? Why Your Skin Reacts to Lamotrigine & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Lamotrigine can cause new rashes, usually in the first 2 to 8 weeks; while most are mild, rare severe reactions like SJS, TEN, or DRESS need urgent care. Stop lamotrigine at the first sign of a rash, do not restart on your own, contact your prescriber promptly, and go to the ER immediately for blisters, peeling or painful skin, fever, mouth or eye sores, facial swelling, or a rapidly spreading rash; there are several risk factors and doctor approved next steps to weigh, detailed below.
References:
* Park BK, Kim SR, Naranjo L, Naisbitt DJ. Mechanisms of lamotrigine-induced skin rashes. Mol Allergy. 2012;69:70-76. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22168953/
* Aouam K, Guesmi Z, Ghedira A, et al. Lamotrigine-induced DRESS syndrome: A systematic review. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2020;147(6):442-451. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32828751/
* Kim DH, Kim H, Lee JY, et al. Pharmacogenomics of drug-induced Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Pharmacol Ther. 2017;176:208-223. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28435012/
* Klink RJ, Klink RJ. Management of Antiepileptic Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2018;54(3):391-402. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28828362/
* Litt M, Dhingra R, Saikaly R, Chu B, Alangh R. Recognition and management of cutaneous adverse drug reactions. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021 Jul 22:S0190-9622(21)02381-4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34293444/
Q.
Seroquel Side Effects? Why Your Body Reacts & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Common Seroquel side effects include drowsiness, weight gain, dry mouth, dizziness when standing, and constipation, and there are important risks to monitor such as metabolic changes, movement symptoms, heart rhythm problems, and rare severe rashes or high fever with muscle stiffness. These reactions happen because the medicine shifts dopamine, serotonin, histamine, and adrenergic signaling that influence sleep, appetite, blood pressure, and metabolism. There are several factors to consider, and you should not stop suddenly; medically approved next steps include talking with your doctor about dose or timing changes, monitoring weight, blood pressure, and labs, using targeted self care, and knowing when to seek urgent care. See complete guidance below to understand more and choose the safest next steps for your situation.
References:
* Almarshad ZA, Alfouzan SA, Almuhizia MM, Alosaimi RS, Alsalem RA, Alfayez SS, Alshehri AM, Alabdan TA, Alshwairikh AM. Adverse Effects of Second-Generation Antipsychotics: An Updated Review of the Evidence. Cureus. 2023 Dec 17;15(12):e49909. doi: 10.7759/cureus.49909. PMID: 38240562; PMCID: PMC10793618.
* Zhang Y, Cao Y, Zhao R, Zhao D, Ding R, Li J, Li Y, Yang R. Quetiapine-Induced Metabolic Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Potential Treatment Strategies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022 Dec 16;15(12):1572. doi: 10.3390/ph15121572. PMID: 36555543; PMCID: PMC9782508.
* Frazzini V, De Luca V, De Rossi P, Di Stefano V, Pompili M, Pisanu C, De Leo M, Giunta G, Fania L, Sirianni C, Minichino A, Nanni MG, Del Vecchio C. Cardiovascular Side Effects of Antipsychotics: An Overview of Clinical and Preclinical Studies. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 4;23(15):8605. doi: 10.3390/ijms23158605. PMID: 35955682; PMCID: PMC9368545.
* Sun D, Sun J, Zhang Y, Wang S, Sun J. Adverse drug reactions of quetiapine in psychiatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Jun 25;12:699036. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.699036. PMID: 34293816; PMCID: PMC8266209.
* Al-Khalifa R, Alabdulhadi A. Movement Disorders Induced by Second-Generation Antipsychotics. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y). 2018 Dec 31;8:564. doi: 10.7916/D84M9765. PMID: 30678225; PMCID: PMC6338575.
Q.
Penicillin Allergy? Why Your Body Reacts + Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Most reported penicillin allergies are not true allergies; about 90% test negative, and true reactions involve an IgE histamine response that can range from mild hives to rare anaphylaxis, while many rashes or GI side effects are not allergic and about 80% of people lose sensitivity after 10 years. There are several factors to consider. Medically approved next steps include reviewing your reaction history, getting allergist-led testing with skin tests and a supervised oral challenge, and knowing when emergency care is needed, with guidance on related antibiotics and who should avoid re-exposure explained below.
References:
* Picard M, et al. An Update on Penicillin Allergy. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2021 Dec;61(3):360-370. doi: 10.1007/s12016-021-08882-7. Epub 2021 Jun 23. PMID: 34160759.
* Romano A, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Penicillin Allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020 Nov-Dec;8(10):3321-3333. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.07.031. Epub 2020 Sep 9. PMID: 32910793.
* Blumenthal KG, et al. Penicillin Allergy: An Update on Its Impact on Antimicrobial Stewardship. JAMA. 2020 Apr 7;323(13):1283-129 penicillin allergy. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.1060. PMID: 32250361.
* Sacco R, et al. Penicillin allergy in 2020: A review of the evidence. World Allergy Organ J. 2020 Jul 20;13(7):100445. doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100445. PMID: 32821217; PMCID: PMC7370831.
* Macy E, Blumenthal KG. Penicillin allergy: a practical guide for clinicians. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2018 Sep-Oct;6(5):1443-1451. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2018.06.002. Epub 2018 Jun 28. PMID: 29961680.
Q.
Skin "On Fire"? Why Your Skin is Erupting & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Burning, itchy welts are often hives, usually triggered by allergies, medications, infections, stress, or physical factors like heat and pressure, and they often respond to non drowsy antihistamines, cool compresses, and avoiding triggers. Get emergency care for breathing difficulty, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, or fainting, and see a clinician if episodes persist, recur, or may be medication related. There are several factors to consider, including how to tell hives from other rashes and which next steps are right for you; see the complete details below.
References:
* Wollenberg A, Barbarot S, Bieber T, de Bruin-Weller M, Eichenfield LF, Fölster-Holst R, Gieler U, Girolomoni G, Gooderham M, de G L Pardo L, Paul C, Saeki H, Schneider L, Thyssen JP, von Kiedrowski R, Wahn U, Weidinger S, Werfel T, Wertz P, Ring J. EADV/EDF consensus statement on the treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) in adults and children. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 Feb;37(2):290-313. doi: 10.1111/jdv.18663. Epub 2022 Dec 12. PMID: 36473523.
* Armstrong AW, Read C. Psoriasis: From Pathogenesis to Clinical Management. JAMA. 2024 Jan 9;331(2):167-179. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.24941. PMID: 38190240.
* Usatine RP, Quan T. Contact Dermatitis. Am Fam Physician. 2021 Mar 1;103(5):291-298. PMID: 33690074.
* Guttman-Yassky E, Kabashima K, Paller AS, Wollenberg A, Zang C, Blauvelt A. Targeted Therapies for Inflammatory Skin Diseases: An Update. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Mar 22;9:856947. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.856947. PMID: 35392036; PMCID: PMC8982362.
* Gallo RL, Moore DA, Kanigsberg N, Tan J. Update on the management of rosacea: a systematic review. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Nov;34(11):2422-2434. doi: 10.1111/jdv.16671. Epub 2020 Jul 17. PMID: 32677103.
Q.
Acetaminophen Side Effects: What Women 30-45 Must Know & Do
A.
There are several factors to consider for women 30 to 45 using acetaminophen; while generally safe, key risks include liver damage from exceeding 3,000 to 4,000 mg in 24 hours, using multiple acetaminophen containing products, or drinking alcohol, plus rare severe skin or allergic reactions that need urgent care. See below to understand more. To use it safely, read labels, track total daily dose, avoid alcohol, use the lowest effective dose, and talk to a clinician if pregnant or breastfeeding, drink regularly, have liver disease, or need it more than a few times a week. Complete details and next step guidance are provided below.
References:
* Kiernan, E. A., Lu, Y., & Hinson, J. A. (2020). Sex differences in acetaminophen-induced liver injury: current understanding and future directions. *Pharmacology & Therapeutics*, *205*, 107421.
* Benini, T., Liguori, L., & Bellavite, P. (2020). Reproductive and developmental toxicity of paracetamol in mammals: a systematic review of in vivo data. *Reproductive Toxicology*, *95*, 223-233.
* Bauer, A. Z., & Kriebel, D. (2021). Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy: A Review of the Evidence. *Current Environmental Health Reports*, *8*(3), 294-301.
* Yu, S., Peng, Y., Yu, Q., Su, G., Hu, S., Wang, Y., ... & Li, C. (2020). Chronic acetaminophen use and risk of liver and kidney injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis. *British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology*, *86*(11), 2217-2227.
* Abdullah, S. Y., Abdelwahab, Y. H., & Oun, S. A. (2020). The clinical safety and effectiveness of acetaminophen in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal*, *28*(8), 920-928.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Wei BM, Fox LP, Kaffenberger BH, Korman AM, Micheletti RG, Mostaghimi A, Noe MH, Rosenbach M, Shinkai K, Kwah JH, Phillips EJ, Bolognia JL, Damsky W, Nelson CA (2021). Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. Part II diagnosis and management. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37516356/Del Pozzo-Magaña BR, Liy-Wong C (2021). Drugs and the skin: A concise review of cutaneous adverse drug reactions. British journal of clinical pharmacology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35974692/Kano Y, Shiohara T (2009). The variable clinical picture of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms in relation to the eliciting drug. Immunology and allergy clinics of North America.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19563993/