7 Drugs That Can Cause a Rash and How to Identify a Skin Reaction

2. Antiepileptic Drugs

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), also known as anticonvulsants or anti-seizure drugs, are used in the treatment of epilepsy, seizures, and bipolar disorder. Hypersensitivity reactions are common adverse drug reactions associated with these types of medications.

Commonly used antiseizure drugs causing skin-related effects include:

• Lamictal (lamotrigine)
• Phenobarbital
• Tegretol (carbamazepine)
• Valproic acid

Skin-associated side effects are uncommon but can include:

Rare skin reactions to AEDs include:

3. Gout Medication Allopurinol

Allopurinol is a drug used to treat gout (arthritis caused by high uric acid), uric acid that builds up in the blood in people taking chemotherapy (cancer drugs), and recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones.

Although it is a well-tolerated drug, it can cause severe side effects that affect the skin. Common early side effects are:

• Flaking of the skin
• Hair loss
• Itching
• Peeling
• Scaliness

A few rare but severe skin conditions include:

• Erythroderma
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome

4. Cancer Medications

Cancer drug therapy used in cancer detection and treatment or immunotherapies can lead to increased incidence of skin-related side effects. These reactions range from minor skin toxicities to life-threatening reactions.

Common skin reactions may include:

• Acne
• Hair loss
• Paronychia (a painful infection of the skin around a fingernail or toenail)

Other life-threatening adverse reactions include:

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• TEN

5. NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help with pain and inflammation. They reduce or relieve headaches, sore muscles, arthritis, or other aches and pains.

Some are available by prescription, but others are also commonly purchased over the counter. Commonly used NSAIDs include:

• Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen)
• Aleve (naproxen)
• Aspirin

NSAIDs are the most common cause of hypersensitivity drug reactions, particularly ibuprofen. Common reactions may include:

NSAIDs can cause severe skin reactions in rare cases. These include:

• Bullous eruptions
• Erythema multiforme
• TEN
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome

6. Diuretics (Furosemide)

Diuretics rid the body of excess water and salt and are commonly known as “water pills.” They may cause some allergic skin reactions. A widely used medicine in this group is Lasix (furosemide).

Common skin reactions to Lasix include:

More severe reactions are usually rare. These include:

• Bullous eruptions
• Erythema multiforme
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• TEN

7. Opioids

Opioids are strong prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. They treat moderate to severe pain and are often used in surgical procedures.

Opioids are very effective, but they can sometimes have serious side effects. Opioids cause the body to release histamine, which can trigger allergic reactions ranging from mild rashes to more severe symptoms. These include itching, sweating, and hives. More severe reactions with opioids are usually rare.

Are Rashes a Common Side Effect?

Rashes are a common side effect of certain medications. They are usually not severe and go away after the medication is stopped. However, you should still consult your prescribing healthcare provider about the reaction.

The severity of the rashes depends upon the type of medication and how it affects you. They can be mild to more severe. In case of any severe rash or associated symptoms, immediately call your healthcare provider.

When Do Symptoms Appear and How Long Do They Last?

How long the drug allergy rash lasts depends on different factors, such as the severity of the reaction and other individual factors.

The immediate rashes or hives appear due to the release of histamine. However, a delayed type of drug rash appears within a few days to weeks after taking the medicine.

Mild symptoms usually go away after stopping the drug. More severe rashes or allergic reactions need medical treatment and may take a few days to completely disappear.

How Do You Treat a Drug Rash?

The mild rash symptoms usually improve within a few days after stopping the drug that is causing the reaction. However, some allergic reactions are severe and need medical treatment.

Common or mild drug allergy rash treatments may include:

More severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis, are treated with epinephrine.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

With any skin reaction, it’s a good idea to contact your healthcare provider for guidance. They may have you stop the medication or, if mild, advise you on how to manage the symptoms.

Rarely, severe types of drug reactions can be life-threatening if not treated. These include:

• DRESS
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• TEN

Allergic reactions can be severe and even fatal and may need hospitalization. The symptoms of a severe drug rash caused by an allergic reaction may also include:

• Difficulty breathing or talking
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Tightness in the chest or throat
• Wheezing

Talk to your healthcare provider about taking an alternative drug or how to manage the symptoms. In case of any severe allergic symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis, call 911 for help.

Summary

Drug rashes are a common side effect of drugs, including antibiotics, anticonvulsants, painkillers, and chemotherapy agents. Drug-related skin eruptions can range from mild rashes to severe conditions like anaphylaxis.

The side effects can occur immediately or even after a few days, depending on the drug type and response to medication. Keep a close eye on your symptoms and call your healthcare provider in case of a severe drug reaction.