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Medications that may cause rashes in children

Healthwise
By Jan Nissl, RN, BS

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Many medications can cause a rash. Some of the more common medications that cause rashes are:

  • Antibiotics, such as penicillin, cephalosporins, sulfonamides, or vancomycin.
  • Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen.
  • Barbiturates, such as amobarbital or pentobarbital.
  • Blood and blood products.
  • Complementary and alternative medications, such as echinacea.
  • Contrast dyes used in X-ray studies.
  • Nitrofurantoin, such as Furadantin, Furalan, or Furatoin.
  • Pain medications that contain codeine and codeine-like compounds.
  • Seizure medications, such as carbamazepine or valproate.

If a rash occurs after your child has begun a new medication:

  • Stop giving the medication to your child.
  • Call the health professional who prescribed or recommended the medication to determine if another medication needs to be prescribed.

Credits

Author Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Last Updated August 1, 2008
Last Updated: 08/01/2008