Skin Problems & Treatments Health Center

Medicines That May Cause a Rash

Many medicines can cause a rash. Some of the more common medicines 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 medicines, such as echinacea.
• Contrast dyes used in X-ray studies.
• Enzymes, such as trypsin and streptokinase.
• Pain medicines 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 medicine:

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