Patch testing and sensitization to multiple drugs

Contact Dermatitis. 2013 Nov;69(5):296-302. doi: 10.1111/cod.12076.

Abstract

Background: Adverse drug reactions pose an increasing diagnostic challenge in hospitals and in outpatient clinics. When consecutive or repeated allergic drug eruptions are suspected, patch testing is a useful diagnostic tool for determining the causative drugs.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify patient cases with multiple delayed-type drug sensitizations by using patch testing.

Methods: Eight hundred and eleven patients with suspected drug allergy were patch tested during a 9-year period.

Results: Multiple delayed drug sensitizations were found in 12% of those patients with positive results in drug patch testing.

Conclusions: Drug patch testing is useful in cutaneous adverse drug reactions where multiple drugs are suspected. Multiple drug sensitizations can be found in a proportion of patients who have delayed drug allergies. In addition to drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, these patients may have repeated exanthemas or contact dermatitis.

Keywords: adverse drug reactions; cross-reactions; multiple sensitization to systemic drugs; patch test.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Allergens* / administration & dosage
  • Allergens* / immunology
  • Cross Reactions
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / diagnosis*
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patch Tests / methods*

Substances

  • Allergens