Drug-Induced Fever: Cases Seen in the Evaluation of Unexplained Fever in a General Hospital Population

Abstract

This study involved cases of unexplained fever for which an infectious disease consultation was requested and for which an untoward drug reaction was thought responsible. Twelve cases that met strict criteria for drug-induced fever are presented. Antimicrobial agents were responsible for eight cases; other causes included antihypertensive and anticonvulsant drugs and allopurinol. The duration of drug administration before fever appeared was highly variable. Most patients had no history of previous drug reactions. Seven patients had fever with no other symptoms or signs that would suggest a diagnosis of drug-induced fever. Consultations are generally not requested for adverse drug reactions with more typical findings, such as skin rashes and eosinophilia; therefore, the true incidence of drug-induced fever is probably greater than indicated by the 12 definite cases seen in this general hospital during a six-year period.