Lupus Erythematosus and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Erythema multiforme exudativum Stevens-Johnson syndrome) has been described in association with the administration of numerous medications, including sulfonamides,¹⁻⁶penicillin,⁷thiouracil,⁵phenylbutazone,⁸salicylates, codeine,⁹Fowler's solution,¹⁰phenolphthalein,⁷barbiturates,¹¹,¹²trimethadione,¹³and diphenylhydantoin.¹⁴⁻¹⁶A reversible, lupus-like disease, characterized by the L.E. cell phenomenon, with or without renal and systemic involvement, has also been attributed to medications such as hydralazine,¹⁷⁻²²penicillin,²³,²⁴phenylbutazone,¹⁷sulfadiazine,²⁵,²⁶and methylphenylethylhydantoin (Mesantoin).²⁷ It is the purpose of this paper to report the simultaneous occurrence of erythema multiforme exudativum and a reversible, lupus-erythematosus-like disease in 2 adolescent girls, as well as acute lupus erythematosus alone in a 4-year-old boy, following medication with anticonvulsant drugs. Report of Cases Case1.—At the age of 7½ years, this girl began experiencing petit mal seizures characterized by momentary lapses of consciousness, substantiated by typical 3-per-second spike and wave discharges on the electroencephalogram. She was given trimethadione (Tridione), 900 mg. daily, and phenobarbital, 45 mg.