What is DRESS Syndrome?

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia And Systemic Symptom Syndrome (DRESS) is a hypersensitivity reaction to exposure to a drug. This dangerous reaction is most often associated with exposure to antiepileptic drugs used for the treatment of seizure disorders.

What Does DRESS Syndrome Treatment Involve?

The first course of treatment for DRESS syndrome is to promptly stop using the drug causing the hypersensitivity reaction according to MedSafe. Additionally, many patients are prescribed topical and systemic steroids as part of their DRESS syndrome treatment.

Many patients may also require monitoring and medical attention in an intensive care unit or burn unit as part of their DRESS syndrome treatment. Antipyretics may be prescribed to reduce fever, and any affected internal organs will require individual attention and treatment.

What Causes DRESS Syndrome?

DRESS syndrome is triggered by a reaction to a new drug being introduced into a patient’s body. Although the condition is fairly rare, DRESS syndrome can be extremely dangerous.

DRESS syndrome is estimated to occur in between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 10,000 drug exposures according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, the mortality of DRESS syndrome is between 10 and 20 percent. Often, the condition affects liver function and leads to liver failure, which may be deadly.

DRESS syndrome has been linked to several types of medication, including anticonvulsants and seizure medication such as phenytoin, antidepressants, NSAIDS, antibiotics, antivirals, ACE inhibitors, and beta blockers.

While it is not known exactly what causes the drug hypersensitivity that results in DRESS syndrome, there are three components that are thought to contribute to the risk of experiencing the condition. These three components are:

• A genetic factor that alters a patient’s immune response,
• A triggering factor, generally a viral infection.
• A defect in drug metabolism, resulting in toxins building up and leading to cellular toxicity

What are the Side Effects and Symptoms of DRESS Syndrome?

DRESS syndrome is a serious condition generally characterized by an extensive rash covering the body, fever, blood abnormalities, swollen or enlarged lymph nodes, pharyngitis, and hepatitis. The condition may also involve the kidneys, lungs, heart, and pancreas.

Kidney damage and kidney failure are common serious side effects of the syndrome. As DRESS syndrome treatment generally treats each individual symptom, it is imperative that each side effect of the condition is diagnosed.

Fever and rash are the most common symptoms of the condition. A DRESS syndrome rash may initially affect the face, torso, and upper limbs. The rash may also spread to the lower limbs and become scaly and purple. A fever caused by the condition may spike and then lower multiple times, and generally persists even when the patient has stopped taking the drug causing the reaction.

Although the condition may not immediately become apparent, DRESS syndrome generally begins within 8 weeks after starting a new medication. Most patients begin to experience the symptoms of DRESS syndrome at around 3 weeks.

Patients who believe they are experiencing DRESS syndrome due to a new drug may want to seek immediate medical attention and begin DRESS syndrome treatment before the condition progresses.