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This book on contact allergy to topical drugs is the third in the Monographs in Contact Allergy series written by Anton de Groot. Our department has the previous volumes (1: Non-fragrance allergens in cosmetics, 2: Fragrances and essential oils) in our library and they are frequently consulted. This is again a unique book, packed with practical and easily accessible information. It is up-to-date to August 2020, Anton told me. The incredibly short production time of the book was possible, as the author has again formatted the text completely by himself and all the publisher had to do was to have it printed.

After an introductory chapter, De Groot in chapter 2 gives an overview of all aspects of allergic contact dermatitis from topical drugs, including prevalence, predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, the allergens, cross-reactivity and diagnostic procedures. Chapter 3 shows the monographs of topical drugs, 369 in total. These fully discuss the available literature on contact allergy/allergic contact dermatitis to each drug in the same format as the previous volumes.

Chapter 4 presents over 150 non-pharmaceutical ingredients of topical drugs that have caused sensitization, e.g. parabens, thimerosal, lanolin alcohol, propylene glycol, fragrances, essential oils, et cetera. Some of these ingredients could never be found by a search in PubMed or any other database. Chapter 5 shows drugs that have caused contact urticaria. Very original is chapter 6, in which the author gives a preview of the drugs that will be discussed in Volume 4 on Systemic drugs. Anton told me that he had originally planned to present the topical and systemic drugs in one volume, but he soon discovered that the subject was far too large for one book. Apparently, he has already found 500 drugs that have caused one or more types of cutaneous adverse drug reaction (e.g. DRESS, AGEP, SDRIFE, fixed drug eruption, maculopapular eruptions) caused by delayed-type hypersensitivity or occupational allergic contact dermatitis. Something to look forward to! The great book is available as both printed and eBook.

-Thomas Rustemeyer

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This book on contact allergy to topical drugs is the third in the Monographs in Contact Allergy series written by Anton de Groot. Our department has the previous volumes (1: Non-fragrance allergens in cosmetics, 2: Fragrances and essential oils) in our library and they are frequently consulted. This is again a unique book, packed with practical and easily accessible information. It is up-to-date to August 2020, Anton told me. The incredibly short production time of the book was possible, as the author has again formatted the text completely by himself and all the publisher had to do was to have it printed.

After an introductory chapter, De Groot in chapter 2 gives an overview of all aspects of allergic contact dermatitis from topical drugs, including prevalence, predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, the allergens, cross-reactivity and diagnostic procedures. Chapter 3 shows the monographs of topical drugs, 369 in total. These fully discuss the available literature on contact allergy/allergic contact dermatitis to each drug in the same format as the previous volumes.

Chapter 4 presents over 150 non-pharmaceutical ingredients of topical drugs that have caused sensitization, e.g. parabens, thimerosal, lanolin alcohol, propylene glycol, fragrances, essential oils, et cetera. Some of these ingredients could never be found by a search in PubMed or any other database. Chapter 5 shows drugs that have caused contact urticaria. Very original is chapter 6, in which the author gives a preview of the drugs that will be discussed in Volume 4 on Systemic drugs. Anton told me that he had originally planned to present the topical and systemic drugs in one volume, but he soon discovered that the subject was far too large for one book. Apparently, he has already found 500 drugs that have caused one or more types of cutaneous adverse drug reaction (e.g. DRESS, AGEP, SDRIFE, fixed drug eruption, maculopapular eruptions) caused by delayed-type hypersensitivity or occupational allergic contact dermatitis. Something to look forward to! The great book is available as both printed and eBook.

-Thomas Rustemeyer

Monographs in Contact Allergy: Topical Drugs by the esteemed author Anton de Groot is the most recent textbook in the Monographs in Contact Allergy series. This book provides an astounding wealth of information for the readers by a comprehensive review of allergic reactions to topical drugs and offering inadept technical and practical information on each drug and associated clinical reactions.

The book is composed of 6 chapters; the first chapter briefs the background, rationale, and inclusion criteria for the pharmaceutical drugs reviewed in the book.

Chapter 2 provides an overview of allergic reactions to topical medicaments, various categories of topical medications, as well as clinical approach
and relevant diagnostic procedures.

Chapter 3 reviews 384 topical drugs causing contact allergy in 369 monographs in alphabetical order.

Each monograph contains thorough information, including the description of the active ingredient, pharmacological class, IUPAC name, synonym names, CAS registry number, European Community number, Merk Index monograph, molecular formula, drawn structure, and recommended patch test preparation(s). In addition, the monographs contain relevant clinical data, including cross-reactivity, coreactivity, photosensitivity, contact urticaria, and more. One monograph briefly reviews 16 "historic"
topical drug allergens that are no longer in use.

Chapter 4 reviews the excipients of topical medications known to cause contact allergy with exhaustive tables and references. Of note, most of these allergens are reviewed in dept in the previous volumes of Monographs in Contact Allergy (Volume-1: Non-Fragrance Allergens in Cosmetics and Volume-2: Fragrances and Essential oils) by the same author. Chapter 5 provides an overview of topical medications associated with immediate contact reactions. In Chapter 6 author offers a preview of systemic drugs causing adverse cutaneous reactions, which will be the subject of exhaustive review in the upcoming volume 4 of Monographs in Contact Allergy.

This reference book is a "must-have" for clinicians, scientists, and all professionals involved in caring for patients with eczematous and occupational dermatoses and practice patch testing.

- Golara Honari, MD

Clinical Associate Professor, Stanford University

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