Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Caused by Chlorpropamide

Abstract

During the summer of 1959 several cases of the Stevens-Johnson syndrome were encountered in Boston. Some of these occurred in families of children afflicted with vesicopustular stomatitis. That this group may have been caused by a Coxsackie virus will be the subject of a later report.¹ The following case which was seen during this period historically and clinically suggested a drug etiology. Complete bacteriologic and virologic studies were unrevealing. Since the experience of Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hurwitz with chlorpropamide, a new oral hypoglycemic agent,²was available to us, the proper etiology was elicited and the patient cured by the withdrawal of the offending agent. <h3>Report of Case</h3> A 46-year-old white female bakery clerk was admitted to the medical service of the Mount Auburn Hospital by Dr. Sumner Fredd because of diabetic acidosis and a severe skin eruption of four days' duration. Five weeks prior to admission the