Lichen Planus Associated With Topical Beta-Blocker Therapy

• Published in: American journal of ophthalmology Vol. 120; no. 4; pp. 530 - 531
• Main Authors: Beckman, Kenneth A., Chanes, Luis, Kaufman, Stephen R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.10.1995; Elsevier
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - administration & dosage; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - adverse effects; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Drug Therapy, Combination; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Female; Glaucoma, Open-Angle - drug therapy; Humans; Levobunolol - administration & dosage; Levobunolol - adverse effects; Levobunolol - therapeutic use; Lichen Planus - chemically induced; Lichen Planus - pathology; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miotics - therapeutic use; Ophthalmic Solutions; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pilocarpine - therapeutic use; Skin - drug effects; Skin - pathology; Toxicity: eye; Case study; Human; Skin disease; Ophthalmic preparation; Treatment; Toxicity; Lichen planus; Beta blocking agent
• ISSN: 0002-9394; 1879-1891
• DOI: 10.1016/S0002-9394(14)72671-6

We studied two clinical cases that demonstrated an association between topical beta-blocker therapy and lichen planus. Two patients developed skin lesions while on topical beta-blocker therapy for open-angle glaucoma. They underwent skin biopsies to determine the origin of the lesions. They were subsequently treated and followed up clinically. Skin biopsy specimens from each patient demonstrated infiltrates consistent with a lichenoid drug reaction. The symptoms resolved after discontinuation of the topical beta-blocker therapy. Neither patient developed a recurrence. We suggest that lichen planus is a possible side effect of topical beta-blocker therapy.