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Thalidomide‐Induced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Author(s) -
Horowitz Sandra B.,
Stirling Alexandra L.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.19.15.1177.30571
Subject(s) - toxic epidermal necrolysis , thalidomide , medicine , rash , erythroderma , dermatology , population , mucocutaneous zone , immunology , multiple myeloma , disease , environmental health
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe dermatologic disorder associated with mortality of up to 30%. Withdrawal of the causative agent is crucial in its management. Although thalidomide‐induced dermatologic disorders rarely were reported before thalidomide was administered to patients positive for the human immunodeficiency virus, hypersensitivity reactions including rash are the agent's major dose‐limiting toxicities in this population. As it is prescribed for other immunosuppressed patients, such as those with malignancies, the frequency of dermatologic reactions (including TEN) may increase. A 62‐year‐old woman developed TEN after approximately 5 weeks of thalidomide therapy for the treatment of a glioblastoma.