Fixed drug eruption induced by oral phenobarbital used for prevention of febrile seizure in children

A 3-year-old girl received phenobarbital 20 mg thrice daily for the prophylaxis of febrile seizure at the beginning of each fever. Twelve hours after the first oral administration, the patient developed red spots on her perioral skin. About 1 hour after the second oral therapy, the patient developed the same rash on her perioral skin and right upper limb. The same symptoms occurred three times in succession after each dose. About one hour after treatment with phenobarbital again, the patient developed the same rash on her perioral skin, right upper limb and bilateral buttocks. The patient was diagnosed as fixed drug eruption induced by phenobarbital. Phenobarbital was stopped and the oral diazepam 1.25 mg thrice daily was given in order to prevent febrile convulsions. All above mentioned symptoms did not recur. Key words: Phenobarbital; Drug eruptions; Child