Fever as an Adverse Drug Reaction of Different Therapeutic Groups

Fever (t>38°C) developed in association with drug usage is rare but sometimes severe side effect (SE). It could manifest as single symptom or as a part of such life-threatening syndromes like malignant hyperthermia (MH), serotonin syndrome (SS), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Fever could be caused by different therapeutic groups of drugs but the leading positions are occupied by antibiotics (mainly beta-lactams), substances acting on central nervous system (CNS) and chemotherapeutic agents. Main mechanisms are allergic and receptive. Curative measures include discontinuation of the suspected drug, introduction of agents blocking the action of the trigger factor - dantrolene (МН), bromocriptine (NMS), cyproheptadine (SS). Purpose of this review: to present the global and Russian data concerning fever as a drug-induced side effect. To distinguish the groups of patients and drugs of the highest risk. To evaluate aid measures. Results: fever as monosymptom of drug allergy is a difficult condition to be diagnosed and there are only few things that could help to recognize it such as temporal association with the suspected drug use and manifestation of fever along with the following resolution after suspected drug discontinuation and recurrence fever after suspected drug re-challenge. Among four syndromes described in this review such as serum sickness-like reaction (SSLR), NMS, SS and MH just fever at MH is not only a sign like in case of three others but it is significant and life-threatening manifestation and therefore requires additional curative methods (in addition to pharmacological support with dantrolene) – rapid cooling measures: ice-water nasogastric and rectal lavage, infusion of crystalloid solutions cooled up to 4°C, ice packs placing on main blood vessels and liver area, ventilatory measurements.