Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News
Reporter Tsai Ching-Chin / Tainan Report
November 19, 2013
A 62-year-old Mr. Fang sought emergency treatment due to a sore throat and fever, but his condition did not improve. After hospital consultation, he was diagnosed with the rare "Stevens-Johnson syndrome," which flares up upon taking specific medications. Liao Yi-Chen, director of the dermatology department at Tainan Municipal An-Nan Hospital, emphasized that any discomfort caused by medication should not be taken lightly. Early medical consultation is crucial to prevent further harm from delayed treatment.
Liao Yi-Chen stated that the 62-year-old Mr. Fang, a farmer with a history of hypertension, gout, and lung disease, sought medical attention on November 10 for a sore throat and fever. The following day, he returned due to persistent throat pain and was prescribed antiviral medication, but his condition did not improve. The next day, he experienced continued fever, difficulty swallowing, the appearance of new blisters on his hands and feet, along with coughing and yellow phlegm. Hospital consultation revealed he had the extremely rare "Stevens-Johnson syndrome," triggered by medication for facial nerve paralysis. He remains hospitalized.
Liao Yi-Chen explained that Stevens-Johnson syndrome typically presents with fever, sore throat, and eye irritation within the first 1–3 days. Skin lesions appear as red patches with grayish centers. Symptoms usually develop within days of taking the offending medication, leading to epidermal cell death and separation of the dermis and epidermis. This is a potentially fatal skin disorder, with sepsis and multi-organ failure being the primary causes of death. The mortality rate is approximately 10%–15%. In the U.S., there are about 3–7 cases per million people annually, while Taiwan sees around 6–8 cases.
Liao Yi-Chen noted that medications known to trigger Stevens-Johnson syndrome include antiepileptics, uric acid-lowering drugs, and antibiotics, with sulfonamides and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) being the most common. In Taiwan, drug-related injury claims most frequently involve antiepileptics and uric acid-lowering medications.
Dr. Liao Yi-Chen stated that there is no specific cure for the syndrome. The primary treatment involves discontinuing the offending medication, followed by hydration, nutritional support, pain relief, and preventing secondary infections. In severe cases, steroids may be administered to suppress allergic reactions, and antibiotics may be used to prevent subsequent infections.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E6……0% 99% E7% BE% A4- 160000038. html
Certain Medications May Trigger Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Reporter Tsai Ching-Chin / Tainan Report
November 19, 2013
A 62-year-old Mr. Fang sought emergency treatment due to a sore throat and fever, but his condition did not improve. After hospital consultation, he was diagnosed with the rare "Stevens-Johnson syndrome," which flares up upon taking specific medications. Liao Yi-Chen, director of the dermatology department at Tainan Municipal An-Nan Hospital, emphasized that any discomfort caused by medication should not be taken lightly. Early medical consultation is crucial to prevent further harm from delayed treatment.
Liao Yi-Chen stated that the 62-year-old Mr. Fang, a farmer with a history of hypertension, gout, and lung disease, sought medical attention on November 10 for a sore throat and fever. The following day, he returned due to persistent throat pain and was prescribed antiviral medication, but his condition did not improve. The next day, he experienced continued fever, difficulty swallowing, the appearance of new blisters on his hands and feet, along with coughing and yellow phlegm. Hospital consultation revealed he had the extremely rare "Stevens-Johnson syndrome," triggered by medication for facial nerve paralysis. He remains hospitalized.
Liao Yi-Chen explained that Stevens-Johnson syndrome typically presents with fever, sore throat, and eye irritation within the first 1–3 days. Skin lesions appear as red patches with grayish centers. Symptoms usually develop within days of taking the offending medication, leading to epidermal cell death and separation of the dermis and epidermis. This is a potentially fatal skin disorder, with sepsis and multi-organ failure being the primary causes of death. The mortality rate is approximately 10%–15%. In the U.S., there are about 3–7 cases per million people annually, while Taiwan sees around 6–8 cases.
Liao Yi-Chen noted that medications known to trigger Stevens-Johnson syndrome include antiepileptics, uric acid-lowering drugs, and antibiotics, with sulfonamides and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) being the most common. In Taiwan, drug-related injury claims most frequently involve antiepileptics and uric acid-lowering medications.
Dr. Liao Yi-Chen stated that there is no specific cure for the syndrome. The primary treatment involves discontinuing the offending medication, followed by hydration, nutritional support, pain relief, and preventing secondary infections. In severe cases, steroids may be administered to suppress allergic reactions, and antibiotics may be used to prevent subsequent infections.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E6……0% 99% E7% BE% A4- 160000038. html