Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome: identification and management

Abstract

Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome is a rare and potentially life-threatening delayed-type immune reaction with few proven treatments beyond early recognition and immediate discontinuation of the causative drug. Intravenous immunoglobulin has been shown in some uncontrolled studies to hasten recovery and may prove safer than systemic corticosteroid therapy, which carries a significant risk for increased mortality from sepsis. Identification and counseling of at-risk patients through knowledge of potential drug cross-sensitivity and familial susceptibility may help prevent this dangerous idiosyncratic drug reaction.