Phenytoin-induced Stevens–Johnson Syndrome

A BSTRACT Phenytoin is known to cause adverse effects such as gum hypertrophy, coarsening of facies, hirsutism, and hypersensitivity reactions. This case study describes a patient with Moyamoya disease who was treated with phenytoin and subsequently developed Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS), a serious skin reaction that has been occasionally reported with Phenytoin. As per the World Health Organization–Uppsala Monitoring Center causality categories, there was a possible relation between the phenytoin treatment and development of SJS in this patient. From this study, it is concluded that patients taking phenytoin should be carefully monitored for the signs of SJS, the medication should be stopped immediately if SJS symptoms appear, and appropriate supportive treatment should be given promptly. Patients who have previously experienced SJS should not be given phenytoin in future. Hence, before prescribing phenytoin, past history of such reaction is needed to be ruled out.