Who's At Risk
Drug eruptions can appear on people of all ages, all races, and of both sexes. Among adults, women are more likely than men to develop drug eruptions, and they tend to occur more frequently in elderly people.
People may be more likely to have a drug eruption if they:
- Have a weakened immune system due to illness or medication
- Have an infection
- Are taking more than 3 medicines daily
Although any medication can cause a rash, the most common types of medications that cause a drug eruption include:
- Antibiotics such as penicillin or sulfa drugs
- Anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or indomethacin
- Painkillers such as codeine or morphine
- Seizure medications (anti-convulsants) such as phenytoin or carbamazepine
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Medicines for psychiatric illnesses (psychotropic medications)
- Diuretics
- Iodine, especially that found in X-ray contrast dye
Overview
