DRESS syndrome stands for drug rash, or reaction, with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. Also known as drug hypersensitivity syndrome, it refers to a condition noted by hypersensitivity to certain medications. DRESS syndrome is often severe, and can result in death if not diagnosed early.

A patient who is experiencing DRESS syndrome may first notice a fever one to eight weeks after beginning a new drug regime. Drug exposure may be prolonged or brief, and the progression of the syndrome will vary from patient to patient. After the fever, many patients experience a widespread skin eruption that may be long lasting, and which may progress to exfoliative dermatitis. Organ damage may be soon to follow. Symptoms of DRESS syndrome involving internal organs can include hepatitis, nephritis, myocarditis, or pneumonitis, which can be life threatening.

Any patient who has begun taking, or has taken, a new medication and experiences prolonged fever and skin rashes should contact a doctor immediately. Blood tests to rule out DRESS syndrome should be done as soon as possible. It is important for a patient to receive treatment while the illness is still in its early stages.

Interactions between medications is a common link in DRESS syndrome. The main categories of prescriptions linked to this condition include anticonvulsants carbamzepine, phenytoin, and phenobartitone. Specific medications that are most commonly linked to DRESS Syndrome can include, but are not limited to, atenolol, carbamazepine, dapsone, oxicam NSAIAs, and sulphasalazine. Patients who have experienced symptoms of DRESS Syndrome in the past should not take the medications and should practice extreme care if taking them becomes unavoidable.

The exact cause of DRESS syndrome is currently unknown. One possible cause is a malfunction in the body’s ability to filter toxins properly through the lymphatic system. This could result in a toxic overload that may result in the condition. Studies conducted to determine possible causes of DRESS syndrome have been limited, and have focused mainly on determining the specific types of medications most to blame for the side effects. There is a possible genetic predisposition to DRESS Syndrome, and patients who have immediate family members who have suffered from the illness should alert their doctors before taking any high risk medications.

Treatment for DRESS syndrome includes stopping all doses of the suspected medication causing symptoms. Keeping the symptoms under control until the body can properly detoxify itself is key to survival. In some patients, systemic steroids have proven beneficial. It is often necessary to continue treatment for several weeks, while watching for a relapse after symptoms have ceased.