An unusual combination of phototoxicity and Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to antimalarial therapy

Abstract

A 12-year-old boy developed a phototoxic rash with subsequent progression to Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to prophylactic ingestion of antimalarials (chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine; Fansidar). The patient recovered from his skin symptoms after 4 weeks during which he received systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics. This unusual combination of two different patterns of adverse cutaneous drug reactions was most probably caused by the sulfonamide component of Fansidar.