Address of Corresponding Author

Dermatology 2006;212:59-65 (DOI: 10.1159/000089024)

  Key Words

• Subacute lupus erythematosus
• Terbinafine
• Cutaneous drug reaction

  Abstract

Background: Nearly 10% of lupus erythematosus (LE) are drug induced. More than 60 different drugs are involved in iatrogenic LE. We report herein 3 cases of terbinafine-induced LE. Observations: Three patients receiving terbinafine for a suspected dermatophytic infection developed a subacute cutaneous LE, within 7 weeks following terbinafine introduction. The patients' medical history included sicca syndrome, lung carcinoma and Kikuchi disease, respectively. Clinical remission occurred within 15 weeks following terbinafine withdrawal. Discussion: Sixteen cases of terbinafine-induced LE have been previously reported, including 13 women. The median age was 54 years. Prior autoimmunity was reported in 10 cases, including 5 pre-existing LE. The median delay between terbinafine introduction and LE onset was 5 weeks. The median time until clinical recovery following terbinafine withdrawal was 8 weeks. Conclusion: Terbinafine should be prescribed only in patients with proven dermatophytosis. We recommend cautious monitoring in patients with pre-existing autoimmunity. The diagnosis of terbinafine-induced LE should lead to the immediate and definitive withdrawal of the drug.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Hervé Bachelez, MD, PhD
Hôpital Saint-Louis
1, avenue Claude-Vellefaux
FR-75475 Paris Cedex 10 (France)
Tel. +33 1 42 49 98 17, Fax +33 1 42 49 46 20, E-Mail herve.bachelez@sls.ap-hop-paris.fr

  Article Information

Received: January 6, 2005
Accepted: July 6, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 34