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CORRESPONDENCE
Year : 2008  |  Volume : 53  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 98-99
Perforating lichenoid reaction to amlodipine


1 Department of Dermatology, PSG Hospitals and PSGIMSR, Peelamedu, Coimbatore - 4, India
2 Department of Pathology, PSG Hospitals and PSGIMSR, Peelamedu, Coimbatore - 4, India

Correspondence Address:
C R Srinivas
Department of Dermatology, PSG Hospitals and PSGIMSR, Peelamedu, Coimbatore - 4
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0019-5154.41659

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How to cite this article:
Lakshmi C, Srinivas C R, Ramachandran B, Pillai SB, Nirmala V. Perforating lichenoid reaction to amlodipine. Indian J Dermatol 2008;53:98-9

How to cite this URL:
Lakshmi C, Srinivas C R, Ramachandran B, Pillai SB, Nirmala V. Perforating lichenoid reaction to amlodipine. Indian J Dermatol [serial online] 2008 [cited 2023 Jun 2];53:98-9. Available from: https://www.e-ijd.org/text.asp?2008/53/2/98/41659


We report here the case of a 54 year-old woman on amlodipine 5 mg for the past six years for systemic hypertension who presented with intensely pruritic, hyperpigmented, keratotic, lichenoid papules topped with white scales over her upper and lower limbs since the last seven months [Figure 1]. The trunk was also involved with less severity. The oral and genital mucosal tissues were normal. She was not on any other medication. Routine investigations including that for blood sugar were within normal limits.

Clinically, transepidermal elimination (TEE) disorder and lichen planus are considered as differential diagnosis. These two conditions were considered as differential diagnostic possibilities. Histological examination showed a lichenoid reaction with transepidermal elimination of collagen [Figure 2] and [Figure 3].

The patient was treated with potent topical corticosteroids, injection triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/ml IM stat and amlodipine was replaced with losartan 50 mg daily. One month later, all the lesions had subsided leaving postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. The marked symptomatic and clinical improvement following the withdrawal of amlodipine implicates the drug as the most likely cause of the lichenoid papules. Rechallenge with amlodipine was not acceptable to the patient.

Various reactions have been reported with amlodipine including generalized pruritus, erythematous rash, ecchymosis, purpura, urticaria and photosensitivity presenting as telengiectasia. [1],[2] Lichenoid reactions may develop after weeks or months following the initiation of therapy. [3] Although lichen planus has been linked to calcium channel blockers, there are very few reports of amlodipine-associated lichen planus. [4] Transepidermal elimination with perforation is very rarely seen in classical lichen planus cases. [5] This finding has not been reported in associaton with lichenoid reactions. A perforating lichenoid reaction could represent a rare, unlisted reaction to amlodipine.

 
   References Top

1.Thompson DF, Skaehill PA. Drug-induced lichen planus. Pharmacotherapy 1994;14:561-71.  Back to cited text no. 1  [PUBMED]  
2.Grabczynska SA, Cowley N. Amlodipine induced photosensitivity presenting as telengiectasia. Br J Dermatol 2000;142:1255-6.  Back to cited text no. 2  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
3.Halevy S, Shai A. Lichenoid drug eruptions. J Am Acad Dermatol 1993;29:249-55.  Back to cited text no. 3  [PUBMED]  
4.Swale VJ, McGregor JM. Amlodipine-associated lichen planus. Br J Dermatol 2001;144:920-1.  Back to cited text no. 4  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
5.Hanau D, Sengel D. Perforating lichen planus. J Cutan Pathol 1984;11:176-8.  Back to cited text no. 5  [PUBMED]  


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]

This article has been cited by
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Chris Fessa,Penny Lim,Steve Kossard,Shawn Richards,Pablo Fernandez Peñas
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[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

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