DRESS syndrome
ICD-10 D72.1 · ICD-11 EH65

Treatment of DRESS Syndrome in Moderate, Intermediate Clinical Presentations

DRESS syndrome spans a clinical spectrum from mild to severe. When a patient presents in the moderate range — an intermediate picture that does not fully meet criteria for either mild or severe disease — the management strategy must be specifically calibrated to that severity level.

Clinical scenario

Moderate DRESS is characterised by intermediate clinical presentations, falling between the milder and more severe ends of the spectrum. This intermediate category calls for careful clinical assessment to determine the appropriate level and intensity of intervention.

Treatment approach (overview)

Corticosteroid-based therapy forms the core of management at this severity level. The choice between available routes — and the required intensity of clinical and laboratory monitoring — differs from the approach used in mild disease. The complete structured regimen is available via the link below.

References

Moderate DRESS is characterized by intermediate clinical presentations.

For moderate DRESS, topical corticosteroid therapy with clobetasol can be used in the same way, but with increased clinical and laboratory monitoring.

Alternatively, oral corticosteroids at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day can be initiated from the outset for an average duration of 1 month, with gradual tapering over 3 months.

DOI: 10.1016/j.annder.2025.103381

View source ↗