IADVL's textbook on cutaneous adverse drug reactions

Sunil Dogra, Anuradha Bishnoi

 Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

Correspondence Address:
Sunil Dogra
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh - 160 012
India

Editors: Lalit Kumar Gupta, Abhay Mani Martin

Edition: 1^st

ISBN: 9789381496497

Paperback: No

Publisher: Bhalani Publishing House, Mumbai, India

Price: Not stated

Drug reactions are pretty common and may involve multiple organ systems. The skin is, however, one of the most frequently involved organs when adverse reaction to a drug occurs; and therefore, the diagnosis and management of adverse drug reactions relies a lot on the dermatologists. Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) are perhaps the most common types of dermatoses that we dermatologists come across, especially in the hospital settings. Howsoever benign these actually are, by virtue of their usual diffuse involvement and visibility to the patient, these can be quite worrisome and life-threatening, sometimes even more than the underlying disease for which the drug was prescribed.

The “IADVL's Textbook on Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions,” first edition (2018), pages 546, published by Bhalani Publishing House, Mumbai, India, represents a comprehensive collection of a number of cutaneous adverse effects that can occur after intake of drugs, and it is first of its kind to be published in the Indian subcontinent. The chief editors Lalit Kumar Gupta, and Abhay Mani Martin and the associate editors Paschal D'Souza and Sushil Pande are the members of IADVL's Special Interest Group (SIG) on CADRs. They do rightful justice to CADRs resulting from systemic and dermatologic treatments. This book is comprised of 52 chapters written by 85 eminent international and national authors. Though these chapters are also included in traditional text books of dermatology, their collection and presentation in a single platform is an academic treat for residents and faculty of dermatology and other specialties alike, especially in this era of polypharmacy. The book is a must have ready reference for residents attending their on-call duties.

The book is well-written, user-friendly, multi-authored, and has been laid out in six sections: general aspects (introduction, epidemiology, detailed pathogenesis, pharmacogenomics, detailed scoring systems, diagnostic measures); patterns of CADRs (classified as nonserious and serious, and involves detailed discussions on CADRs affecting hair, nails, mucosae); CADRs to specific group of drugs (anti-infectives, cardiovascular drugs, antiepileptics, anticoagulants, chemotherapy and targeted drugs, and topical dermatology therapy); CADRs in specific populations (HIV/AIDS, childhood, pregnancy); miscellaneous (drug interactions, multiple drug hypersensitivity syndrome, desensitization, pharmacovigilance, paradoxical drug reactions, relevant legal issues, few interesting real-life case scenarios); and the last section covering various proformas pertaining to diagnosis and reporting of CADRs. The chapters discussing the legal issues are a must read for all practicing dermatologists, both in the governmental and private setup. Similarly, the one discussing scoring systems is an excellent read and summarizes the scoring systems so far proposed for the various aspects of the CADRs in the most lucid manner possible. Each chapter in these sections is well-equipped with colorful tables, clear clinical images, and succinct learning message.

We would have loved to see a section/guideline on how to reintroduce the drugs after an acute episode of non-life-threatening drug rash is controlled, especially related to antitubercular, antiepileptic, and antiretroviral drugs, since these drugs have to be continued for a long time. To conclude, this textbook is an excellent attempt to teach and demonstrate CADRs and will be a valuable addition to the dermatology textbooks' armamentarium as a helpful educational tool for both for dermatologists and physicians in India and abroad. The foreword is very apt, penned down by Prof. M Ramam from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. We extend our heartfelt compliments to the editors and authors for their sincere and successful efforts. It is also heartening to note how IADVL Academy is fostering and promoting all the educational activities and introducing such much-desired textbooks for dermatologists, in particular, and medical community, in general.