Adverse skin reactions to antiepileptic drugs - a review

GRUSZCZYŃSKA, Michalina, JARZEMSKI, Adam, KOLOSSA, Agnieszka & PORZYCH, Rafał. Adverse skin reactions to antiepileptic drugs - a review. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2023;21(1):18-25. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2023.21.01.002 https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/43278 https://zenodo.org/record/7839731 The journal has had 40 points in Ministry of Education and Science of Poland parametric evaluation. Annex to the announcement of the Minister of Education and Science of December 21, 2021. No. 32343. Has a Journal's Unique Identifier: 201159. Scientific disciplines assigned: Physical Culture Sciences (Field of Medical sciences and health sciences); Health Sciences (Field of Medical Sciences and Health Sciences). Punkty Ministerialne z 2019 - aktualny rok 40 punktów. Załącznik do komunikatu Ministra Edukacji i Nauki z dnia 21 grudnia 2021 r. Lp. 32343. Posiada Unikatowy Identyfikator Czasopisma: 201159. Przypisane dyscypliny naukowe: Nauki o kulturze fizycznej (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu); Nauki o zdrowiu (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu). © The Authors 2023; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author (s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial license Share alike. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 24.03.2023. Revised: 24.03.2023. Accepted: 18.04.2023. Published: 18.04.2023. Adverse skin reactions to antiepileptic drugs – a review Michalina Gruszczyńska1, Adam Jarzemski1, Agnieszka Kolossa1, Rafał Porzych2 Jan Biziel University Hospital no. 2 in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz. Michalina Gruszczyńska ORCiD: 0009-0002-3321-9626 michalina.gruszczynska97@gmail.com Adam Jarzemski ORCiD: 0009-0002-0217-3696 adam.jarzemski@gmail.com Agnieszka Kolossa ORCiD: 0009-0008-4968-5721 agnieszkakolossa@gmail.com Rafał Porzych ORCiD: 0009-0007-3815-8793 rafal.porzych@gmail.com Abstract Introduction and objective: Treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is frequently used all around the world. Just like in the course of all the drugs administration, side effects may appear, including characteristic side effects presenting on the skin. The aim of the study was to analyse adverse skin reactions to antiepileptic drugs, focusing on their epidemiology, symptoms and treatment. Methods: Databases including PubMed and Google Scholar were browsed using keywords. Description of the state of knowledge: The majority of adverse skin reactions (ASRs) constitute mild rashes and urticaria, however in about 10% cases severe reactions may occur, which can be life-threatening. They include Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), Serum Sickness and Serum Sickness - like Reactions and Drug Induced Vasculitis. In the course of TEN mortality rates are highest, however all reactions can be dangerous and treatment should be applied immediately. In mild and moderate cases drug withdrawal is usually sufficient, however more severe cases need to be treated with immunosuppressive agents. Summary: The awareness about possible adverse effects and their treatment is crucial as some can be life-threatening and immediate therapy increases the chance of recovery. Keywords: adverse skin reactions; antiepileptic drugs; DRESS; Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis