Risk of DRESS with aciclovir and valaciclovir

01 Mar 2024
Medicine safety
01 Mar 2024

Various manufacturers, in association with SAHPRA, have issued the attached communication about the rare risk of a drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) associated with aciclovir and valaciclovir. DRESS is a type of delayed hypersensitivity reaction that can occur 2 weeks to 2 months after starting the offending medication. Symptoms include a skin eruption, systemic symptoms (such as fever, lymphadenopathy, haematological abnormalities) and organ involvement (liver injury may occur in as many as 90% of cases).

Read the full letter on the SAHPRA website.