Alendronate induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin

Dermatol Ther. 2020 Nov;33(6):e14477. doi: 10.1111/dth.14477. Epub 2020 Nov 5.

Abstract

The subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is a distinct subtype of lupus erythematosus (LE) representing specific clinical and serological features. Almost 20%-30% of the cases with SCLE are predicted to associated with medications. Thiazide diuretics, terbinafine, antiepileptic, and proton pump inhibitors are the best-known drugs to induce drug-related SCLE. Herein we want to present a 65-year-old female with alendronate induced SCLE, resistant to classical therapies, and respond well to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), suggesting that IVIG could be an alternative treatment in patients resistant to classical treatment protocols.

Keywords: dapsone; dermatology; dermatopathology; discoid lupus; intravenous immunoglobulin; mycophenolate mofetil; subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alendronate / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous* / chemically induced
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous* / diagnosis
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous* / drug therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Alendronate