Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Q: Which of the following medicines can cause "Red Man Syndrome"?

A) Ciprofloxacin,

B) Amphotericin B,

C) Rifampcin

D) Vancomycin

E) All of the above




Answer: All of the above

Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, amphotericin B and rifampcin can also potentially cause red man syndrome beside vancomycin. Like vancomycin, they are capable of causing direct degranulation of mast cells and basophils. Red man syndrome is amplified if these antibiotics are combined with vancomycin or with each other. Red man syndrome is also magnified in patients receiving vancomycin and opioid analgesics, muscle relaxants, or contrast dye because these drugs can also stimulate histamine release.