Korean J Dermatol.  2005 Jul;43(7):961-964.

Two Cases of Allopurinol Hypersensitivity Syndrome due to Use of Allopurinol for the Patient with Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia

• Cho WI
• Yoon YH
• Kim MN
• Seo SJ
• Hong CK
• Ro BI

Abstract

Allopurinol (4-hydroxypyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidine) is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor and is widely used in the treatment of hyperuricemia. Allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) includes a prolonged illness initially manifested by fever, a prominent cutaneous reaction, eosinophilia, hepatic abnormalities, and decreased renal function. Two patients in our study had a decreased renal function; one due to bilateral polycystic kidneys and the other due to bilateral ureteral stones. Both had received allopurinol for asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Whilst taking this medication, they showed a generalized erythematous, maculopapular eruption with fever, leukocytosis, eosinophilia, a further decrease of renal function and prolonged severe hepatic abnormalities. One patient showed an improvement after they stopped taking allopurinol and were treated with steroids, however, died, due to combined giant cell pneumonia. However, the other patient did improve when they stopped taking allopurinol.

Keyword

Allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome; Asymptomatic hyperuricemia

MeSH Terms

Allopurinol*
Eosinophilia
Fever
Giant Cells
Humans
Hypersensitivity*
Hyperuricemia*
Leukocytosis
Pneumonia
Polycystic Kidney Diseases
Steroids
Ureter
Xanthine Oxidase
Allopurinol
Steroids
Xanthine Oxidase