A study of drug eruptions by provocative tests.

Sixty cases of drug eruptions were observed during the period of one year. The incidence of drug eruption was 0.47% amongst all Dermatology O.P.D. attendances. Male to female ratio was 7:3. The highest number of cases were seen in the age group of 21-30 years. Fixed drug eruptions were the most frequent (58.3%), followed by urticaria and angioedema (20%). The drug sulphonamides (including co-trimoxazole) accounted for the highest number of eruptions (35%). The other drugs which were responsible for the eruptions, in order of frequency, were oxyphenbutazone, ampicillin, analgin, penicillin, tetracycline, ibuprofen, paracetamol, phenylbutazone, acetaminophen and phenobarbitone. The causative drug (s) were confirmed by provocation tests in 42 (70%) cases.