[Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis after initiation of carbamazepine in a HLA-B*15:02 gene carrier – screening in risk patients is recommended].

Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis after initiation of carbamazepine in a HLA-B*15:02 gene carrier - screening in risk patients is recommended A 32-year-old woman, adopted from Indonesia, developed Stevens-Johnsons syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) after initiating carbamazepine treatment for epilepsy. SJS and TEN are rare but life-threatening adverse effects of carbamazepine, with a 72-100% risk of occurrence in patients carrying the HLA-B*15:02 allele. The HLA-B*15:02 allele is common in several Asian groups but less prevalent in European populations. Screening for HLA-B*15:02, or choice of medication other than aromatic anticonvulsants in patients with Asian ancestry, is recommended when treatment with carbamazepine is considered.