Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis induced by the antifungal terbinafine: case report and review of the literature

Br J Dermatol. 2005 Apr;152(4):780-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06393.x.

Abstract

Cutaneous drug reactions occur with a frequency of 1-8% and can be higher for certain classes of drugs. They can range from mild morbilliform eruptions to more severe forms such as drug-hypersensitivity syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis or anaphylaxis. Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is considered to be a clinical reaction pattern, which is induced in over 90% of the cases by systemic drugs. It is a rare presentation of an adverse drug reaction most frequently triggered by anti-infectious drugs. A high proportion of these cases have been attributed to aminopenicillins and macrolides. We report a terbinafine-induced AGEP in a 68-year-old male confirmed by lymphocyte stimulation in vitro, and review the published cases induced by antimycotic drugs with special emphasis on terbinafine-triggered cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Exanthema / chemically induced*
  • Exanthema / immunology
  • Exanthema / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Male
  • Naphthalenes / administration & dosage
  • Naphthalenes / adverse effects*
  • Onychomycosis / drug therapy
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / chemically induced*
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / immunology
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / pathology
  • Terbinafine

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Naphthalenes
  • Terbinafine