The Symmetrical Drug Rash Mystery

A 42-year-old woman develops a symmetric Rash in her skin folds after starting a new medication. Explore the diagnosis of SDRIFE and its common triggers.

Beta lactam antibiotics


An otherwise healthy 42-year-old woman presented with a 10-day history of a rash in her axillae and on her groin and abdomen. One and a half weeks before the onset of the rash, she had started taking dexketoprofen (a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug [NSAID]) at a dose of 25 mg per day to treat knee pain. She reported no fevers, mucosal lesions, or symptoms other than mild pruritus. On physical examination, symmetric patches of reddish-purple skin with peeling borders were present in the cervical and axillary regions (top-left), the abdominal and inguinal regions (right), and the intertriginous area of the back (bottom-left). What drug class is the most common trigger of this rash?

What is the most likely diagnosis?

Angiotensin receptor blockers
Beta lactam antibiotics
Estrogens
Fluoroquinolones
Sulfonamides

Beta lactam antibiotics, Dermatology, Drug Eruption, Intertriginous Dermatitis, SDRIFE

Leave a Comment