Stevens-Johnson Syndrome following Failure of Genetic Screening prior to Carbamazepine Prescription

Abstract EN

Failure to screen susceptible individuals for human leucocyte allele B∗1502 leads to the onset of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).

We report a case of a 27-year-old Malay female who was treated with carbamazepine following the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia without a genetic screening.

She was prescribed 150 mg of carbamazepine initially and the dose was increased to 300 mg following the initial dose.

A sudden development of skin and mucous membrane ulcers was observed and this warranted immediate hospitalization.

A diagnosis of SJS was made and she was treated immediately with intravenous corticosteroids.

Genetic screening prior to carbamazepine prescription is essential especially in susceptible populations.