Phenobarbital-induced DiHS and ceftriaxone hypersensitivity reaction: a case of multiple drug allergy

SUMMARY

Patients with DiHS show an increased risk of sensitization to multiple drugs. We reporta case of a young woman who developed cutaneous rash, lymphoadenopathy,malaise and fever after the introduction of phenobarbitale. Because of these symptoms,she was treated with ceftriaxone and she experienced a severe flare-up of the cutaneousand general reaction. Allergological work-up, by cutaneous and lymphocyte transformationtest, confirmed a double sensitization to phenobarbital and ceftriaxone. Inconclusion, the high risk of DiHS during anticonvulsive therapy should suggest cautionin using additional drugs, because of an increased risk of multiple reactions.