GuidelinesPrimary Care STG
Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)
Severe Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions
L27.0 + (D72.1)
DESCRIPTION
- Severe hypersensitivity reaction to a medicine
- Typically occurs within 3 months of starting the offending medicine
- Clinical symptoms include:
- Maculopapular rash
- Fever > 38° C
- Lymphadenopathy
- Hepatitis or other organ involvement
- Eosinophilia and/or other blood count abnormalities
- Medicines that commonly induce the DRESS syndrome include phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine, allopurinol, sulphonamides, abacavir and nevirapine
REFERRAL
- All patients
Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2020-2024_Review-Version-2.0-November-2025
Chapter 5: Skin Conditions_5.10.6.2 Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)