Adefovir-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap syndrome

Chattopadhyay P, Sarma N
Correspondence: Dr Partha Chattopadhyay, drpartha73@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
An increasing number of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection are being treated with the newly licensed drug, adefovir. It is an acyclic nucleoside phosphonate that is relatively safe in the dosage generally used for chronic hepatitis B. Serious adverse cutaneous drug reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) following adefovir use have not been reported. We report a case of adefovir-induced SJS and TEN overlap syndrome in a patient with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Keywords: adefovir, adverse drug reaction, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis
Singapore Med J 2011; 52(2): e31-e34