A case of Erythroderma following Terbinafine therapy

Abstract

Background: The onset of cutaneous lupus erythematosus may be associated with the administration of a variety of drugs. Terbinafine, an oral antifungal agent, which rarely causes cutaneous eruptions, has been implicated as the cause or exacerbation of cutaneous lupus erythematosus in several patients. Case: A 52-year-old female patient had received oral terbinafine for onychomycosis. The patient had a family history of lupus, but no personal history. Six weeks after initiating treatment with terbinafine the patient developed cutaneous lupus which was diagnosed clinically and by histology. She developed an erythrodermic rash. Immunological studies showed elevated titres of anti-nuclear antibodies. Following discontinuation of terbinafine therapy and under the treatment of systemic and topical steroids, a slow resolution of the eruption was noted over several weeks. Conclusions: This report, along with previous cases described, suggests the association between terbinafine therapy and the onset or exacerbation of SLE often occurring in a patient with history of systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE. Key words: SLE, erythroderma, drug reactions