Dose dependent Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms to
allopurinol in a Caucasian female
Abstract
Allopurinol is a widely prescribed medication for gout, but it carries a
risk of severe hypersensitivity reactions, particularly in individuals
with the HLA-B*5801 allele. This case report describes a 70-year-old
Caucasian female who developed Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and
Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome following an increase in her
allopurinol dosage. The patient presented with a diffuse, erythematous
maculopapular rash, acute kidney failure, and elevated liver enzymes.
She was found to be positive for the HLA-B*5801 allele and used a
thiazide diuretic as risk factors for allopurinol hypersensitivity.
After discontinuing allopurinol and initiating treatment, her condition
improved, but she later died from a ruptured aneurysm unrelated to the
hypersensitivity reaction. This case highlights the potential for
dose-dependent hypersensitivity reactions to allopurinol, particularly
in the presence of the HLA-B*5801 allele. Despite the rarity of such
reactions in Caucasian populations, clinicians should remain vigilant,
especially during the initial treatment phase.