Medications that may cause a rash

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

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for high blood pressure, such as captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, or lisinopril.
• Antibiotics, such as penicillin, cephalosporins, sulfonamides, furadantin, or vancomycin.
• Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine or valproate.
• 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.
• Enzymes, such as trypsin and streptokinase.
• Pain medications that contain codeine and codeine-like compounds.
• Phenylbutazone, such as Azolid, Butatab, Butazolidin, Butazone-100, or Phenylbutazone Alka.
• Sulfonamide derivatives, such as hydrochlorothiazide.

If a rash occurs after you have begun a new medication:

• Call the health professional who prescribed the medication to determine whether you should stop taking the medication or take a different one. An appointment may not be necessary. Do not take another dose of the medication until you have spoken to your health professional.
• If you are taking a nonprescription medication, stop taking it. Call your health professional if you feel you need to continue taking the medication.