Zeitschrift für klinische Forschung

An Illustrative Case Study on Drug Induced Steven-Johnson Syndrome by Ginkgo biloba

Abstract

Sabishruthi S, Vedha Pal JS, Kavitha S, Deepak Paul DB and Ponsegaran V

Steven Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a life-threatening illness usually associated with usage of medicines, which causes drug interactions. SJS seems to be one of the lethal drug reactions. Herbal medications are also responsible for these syndromes; many medications have been reported to cause SJS. Even though only few cases are described in the literature. It has important impact on the public health in view of its high morbidity and mortality. It is a severe hypersensitive reaction which belongs to type IV hypersensitive reaction. SJS are considered to resemble erythema multiforme with mucosal involvement. It mainly affects oral mucosal cavity. A drug named Ginkgo biloba was prescribed to the patient affected with vitiligo and also treated with allopathic medications for fever and headache. It caused an herbal drug interaction which eventually induced Steven-johnson syndrome. The patient has clinical manifestations such as fever, maculopapular rashes over anterior part of chest and ulceration all over mouth and lips. The patient was treated with rational antibiotic regimen and corticosteroids along with the withdrawal of herbal medications. Pharmacists have a vital role in evaluating a case study of patients and result superiority conclusion of the patient with an advice to withdrawal the medication and to monitor the interactions which was caused by the medications and their symptoms. This helps to improve the condition of the patient for better quality of life.