A Case Report on Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Induced by Phenytoin

Drugs are known to cause various adverse drug reactions ranging from a skin rash to severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a life threatening immune complex mediated hypersensitivity mucocutaneous reaction mainly affecting skin and the mucous membrane, presenting as severe mucosal erosions with widespread erythematous, cutaneous macules or atypical targets. Various drugs are known to cause skin reactions which include antiepileptics, analgesics, antibiotics, and proton-pump inhibitors. Carbamazepine and Phenytoin are among the leading antiepileptic drugs causing drug induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Here we report a case of SJS induced by phenytoin. A 17-year-old male reported with extensive ulceration of the oral cavity and haemorrhagic crustations on the lower lip which occurred 2 days after the intake of phenytoin. He was treated with corticosteroids and oral topical anaesthetics. We all must be careful while prescribing drugs and be aware of the adverse effects of the drugs especially the life threatening one.