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Skin rashes can have many different causes, one of which is medications.
Skin reactions may appear right away after taking the medication or after a few weeks.
The symptoms can occur within a few minutes to weeks after taking the drug.
Getty Images / SeventyFour
The table below provides an overview of the drug rashes that might occur.
Other skin reactions are possible depending on the medication you’re taking.
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Fixed drug reaction.Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are a drug class commonly used to treat bacterial infections.
Hypersensitivity reactions are common adverse drug reactions associated with these types of medications.
Urticaria.Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Although it is a well-tolerated drug, it can cause severe side effects that affect the skin.
Common early side effects are:
A few rare but severe skin conditions include:
4.
Common skin reactions may include:
Other life-threatening adverse reactions include:
5.
Morbillifrom drug reaction rash.Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugshelp with pain and inflammation.
They reduce or relieve headaches, sore muscles, arthritis, or other aches and pains.
Some are available by prescription, but others are also commonly purchased over the counter.
These include:
6.
They may cause some allergic skin reactions.
A widely used medicine in this group is Lasix (furosemide).
Common skin reactions to Lasix include:
More severe reactions are usually rare.
These include:
7.
Opioids
Opioids are strong prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine.
They treat moderate to severe pain and are often used in surgical procedures.
Opioids are very effective, but they can sometimes have serious side effects.
These include itching, sweating, and hives.
More severe reactions with opioids are usually rare.
Are Rashes a Common Side Effect?
Rashes are a common side effect of certain medications.
They are usually not severe and go away after the medication is stopped.
However, you should still consult your prescribing healthcare provider about the reaction.
The severity of the rashes depends upon the punch in of medication and how it affects you.
They can be mild to more severe.
In case of any severe rash or associated symptoms, immediately call your healthcare provider.
When Do Symptoms Appear and How Long Do They Last?
The immediate rashes or hives appear due to the release of histamine.
Mild symptoms usually go away after stopping the drug.
More severe rashes or allergic reactions need medical treatment and may take a few days to completely disappear.
How Do You Treat a Drug Rash?
The mild rash symptoms usually improve within a few days after stopping the drug that is causing the reaction.
However, some allergic reactions are severe and need medical treatment.
Rarely, severe types of drug reactions can be life-threatening if not treated.
These include:
Allergic reactions can be severe and even fatal and may need hospitalization.
In case of any severe allergic symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis, call911for help.
Drug-related skin eruptions can range from mild rashes to severe conditions like anaphylaxis.
Keep a close eye on your symptoms and call your healthcare provider in case of a severe drug reaction.
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