Four patients, three men and one woman, aged 39 to 70, from Nghe An, Phu Tho, and Hai Phong, experienced severe allergic reactions after taking Phenylbutazone for joint pain. Symptoms included fever, rashes, mouth sores, eye pain, and acute liver failure. Doctors diagnosed them with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's syndrome).
All the patients purchased Phenylbutazone on social media. This non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) was banned by the Ministry of Health in 2013 due to the risk of serious, life-threatening allergic reactions like DRESS and Lyell's syndrome. DRESS symptoms include high fever, widespread rash, and organ damage. Lyell's syndrome causes skin peeling resembling severe burns, infections, and multiple organ failure. The drug can also lead to bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal bleeding, and acute kidney failure.
On 12/8, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Phuong, director of the Center for Allergy and Clinical Immunology at Bach Mai Hospital, warned about the drug's widespread availability on social media and the resulting severe complications. Symptoms typically appear at least a week after starting the medication, sometimes even 1-3 months later, making diagnosis difficult. Initial symptoms can be mistaken for infections, and the drug's foreign name makes it hard for patients to recall or correctly identify.
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The banned drug purchased by the patients online. Photo: Hospital provided |
The banned drug purchased by the patients online. Photo: Hospital provided
Dr. Chu Chi Hieu, head of the Allergen Department at the center, said recovery from severe drug allergies takes time. Relapse is possible even without re-exposure, and long-term complications can occur. He strongly advised against buying or using Phenylbutazone or any unregulated, non-prescribed medication, especially those advertised online for "rapid joint pain relief." Only use medication prescribed by a specialist. Seek immediate medical attention if any unusual symptoms like fever, rash, fatigue, jaundice, or mouth sores develop after taking medication.
Doctors urged authorities to investigate and address the online sale of banned medications.
Le Nga
