Background and Objective: Fixed DRUG eruption (FDE) is one kind of DRUG rashes that is characterized by re-appearance of the lesions on the same sites after re-exposure to the causative DRUG. This study was performed to evaluate the epidemiologic characteristics of FDE. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was done on a series of 100FDE cases, whom were admitted at the outpatient dermatology clinic of Hazrat-e-Rasoul Hospital over a six-year period. The primary diagnosis of FDE was suggested according to clinical findings including a remaining hyperpigmentation at the site of healed skin lesion(s). Oral challenge test with a single low dose administration of the suspected DRUG was used to confinn the diagnosis. Recurrence of the lesion(s) at the same body area(s) was considered as positive result. Results: Most commonly causative agents were co-trimoxazole and codein, which were found in 88% and 3% FDE cases; respectively. The most common site of involvement was penile glans in 57.7% of male patients and trunk in 48.3% of females. In one patient, reaction to multiple DRUGs including co-trimoxazole, codein and tetracycline was observed and after re-challenge with each DRUG, re-appearance of the skin lesion at the same site was evident. Several patients reported concomitant acetaminophen intake, but there was no reaction to that DRUG. Conclusion: Co-trimoxazole is the most common cause of FDE.      

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by an acid fast bacillus, mycobacterium tuberculosis or mycobacterium bovis and is the most common cause of death due to an infectious agent. A combination of DRUGs is prescribed for tuberculosis patients. One of the main adverse effects of prescribed DRUGs is elevation of liver ENZYMES.The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of liver ENZYMES elevation among tuberculosis patients after DRUG therapy. MATERIALS & METHODS: 309 tuberculosis patients (15-91 years old) were selected by census method, in 1999-2000. Liver ENZYMES were measured at the beginning, 15 and 30 days following the treatment initiation.RESULTS: At the beginning of the treatment no one showed liver ENZYMES elevation. 15 days after the beginning of the treatment 68 subjects (22%) showed an elevation in liver ENZYMES (2 to 15 times more than normal). 30 days after the treatment initiation only 13 subject (4.2%) showed elevation in the level of their liver ENZYMES.CONCLUSION: This study showed that DRUG-induced elevation in liver ENZYMES of tuberculosis patients in Sanandaj is within the mean reported in other areas. Even though DRUGs are tolerated by the patients, more percuation must be considered about older patients and in case of combination therapy.

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) constitutes a source of great concern to health authorities worldwide. Herbal medicinal products are used as a significant treatment option for the highly active antiretroviral therapies, the efficacies of which are negatively impacted by the emergence of multiDRUG-resistant strains to the recommended treatment guidelines. This review provides an updated synopsis of available documents on herbal medicinal products with anti-HIV activities. Concurrent consumption of herbal products with conventional DRUGs, which is often necessitated by co-morbidity of HIV with other diseases, can potentially alter the pharmacokinetics of the co-administered orthodox DRUGs. Phytochemical constituents of the herbal medicinal products with antiretroviral activities were identified, and their potential to mediate pharmacokinetic changes through modulation of DRUG-metabolizing ENZYMES and P-glycoprotein was reported. Herb-DRUG interactions (HDIs) that can result in significant adverse effects were also discussed with documenting the information for the therapeutic utility of these clinically effective antiretroviral herbal medicinal products with potential for development into newer anti-HIV DRUGs.