Stevens-Johnson syndrome-toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS-TEN) overlap associated with carbamazepine use.

A benign pruritic rash occurs in 10%-15% of persons treated with carbamazepine. A small fraction of them may experience life-threatening dermatological syndromes such as exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The case of an 18-year-old female suffering from bipolar affective disorder (mania) who was being treated with carbamazepine, lithium, chlorpromazine and benzhexol is presented. After 10 days of treatment, she developed high-grade fever and mucocutaneous manifestations of SJS-TEN overlap. She was treated in hospital with systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics, intravenous fluids and other supportive measures, and recovered after 3 weeks.