Skin eruption with gabapentin in a patient with repeated AED-induced Stevens-Johnson's syndrome

Ther Drug Monit. 1999 Feb;21(1):137-8. doi: 10.1097/00007691-199902000-00022.

Abstract

Skin eruptions have been reported with the use of all antiepileptic drugs and there is a significant risk of cross-reactivity between these agents in causing serious eruptions such as Stevens-Johnson's syndrome. Gabepentin is usually considered a safe agent for patients with a previous history of drug allergies and there have been no cases of skin eruption reported to the gabapentin post marketing surveillance. We report a patient who had severe Stevens-Johnson's syndrome induced by phenytoin and later by carbamazepine. Subsequent use of gabapentin also resulted in a skin eruption which was limited to the lower extremities but without systemic or mucosal involvement. This case suggests that patients with a strong history of drug-induced idiosyncratic reactions may experience such reactions to gabapentin as well.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / adverse effects*
  • Adult
  • Amines*
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids*
  • Drug Hypersensitivity
  • Female
  • Gabapentin
  • Humans
  • Skin Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid*

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Amines
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin