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Morbilliform or maculopapular drug eruptions are the most common of all drug-induced eruptions in children. This eruption often starts on the trunk and extends onto the extremities. It is frequently symmetric. The initial macules may become papular, and then may become confluent and form large plaques. The eruption may be associated with pruritus and typically lasts 7 to 14 days. The patient may have associated fever, malaise and arthrlagias.

The most common drugs implicated for morbilliform drug reactions include antibiotics, antifungals, anticonvulsants, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Specific drugs with the highest frequencies of morbilliform rash include cefaclor, sulfonamides, penicillins, and other cephalosporins.

Treatment of children with infectious mononucleosis with ampicillin, penicillin, and azithromycin results in an increase in incidence of morbilliform eruption in up to 80% of patients. Just to muddy the waters, a morbilliform drug eruption can be difficult to distinguish from a viral exanthem.