Mitchell J. Mandel, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist, founder · All offices
Drug rashes
Medically reviewed by Mitchell J. Mandel, M.D., F.A.A.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist. Last reviewed .
Many medicines can cause a rash, including antibiotics, anti-seizure medicines, pain relievers and others. Most drug rashes are mild and fade after the medicine is stopped, but a few can be serious.
Get emergency care for a rash with fever, blistering or peeling skin, sores in the mouth, eyes or genitals, or swelling of the face.
Signs and symptoms
- A widespread red or pink rash, often starting on the trunk, days to weeks after starting a medicine
- Hives
- Itching
- A dark patch that returns in the same place each time you take a certain medicine
How we treat it
- Reviewing your medicines to find the likely cause
- Working with the prescribing doctor before stopping any medicine
- Prescription creams and antihistamines for itching
- Oral medicines for more severe reactions
Where it is offered
Offered at all of our offices.
Q&A
Should I stop my medicine?
Do not stop a prescribed medicine without talking to the doctor who prescribed it, unless you are having a severe reaction. Get emergency care for serious symptoms.
Can I take the medicine again in the future?
That depends on the drug and the type of reaction. Do not restart a suspected medicine on your own. Your clinician will document the reaction and advise whether related medicines or allergy evaluation need to be considered.
Who you can see
Dustin Marks, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist · Upper East Side
Emily Tongdee, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist · Downtown Brooklyn
Emma Newman, PA-C
Physician assistant · Upper East Side
Grace Jarrett, PA-C
Physician assistant · Downtown Brooklyn
Leah Aminov, PA-C
Physician assistant · Greenvale
Karen Chen, PA-C
Physician assistant · Streeterville
Paige Yurick, PA-C
Physician assistant · Streeterville
Arielle Ades, DNP, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Francesca Raedel, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Jennifer Telgener, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Christine Sacco, FNP-C
Nurse practitioner · Palm Beach Gardens