Drug-induced bullous pemphigoid: cases triggered by intravenous iodine and etanercept

• Published in: Clinical and experimental dermatology Vol. 36; no. 8; pp. 871 - 873
• Main Authors: Kluk, J., Goulding, J. M. R., Bhat, J., Finch, T. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.2011; Wiley-Blackwell; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents, Local - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Bullous diseases of the skin; Dermatology; Drug therapy; Drugs; Etanercept; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - administration & dosage; Immunoglobulin G - adverse effects; Immunosuppressive Agents - adverse effects; Injections, Intravenous; Iodine; Iodine - administration & dosage; Iodine - adverse effects; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pemphigoid, Bullous - chemically induced; Psoriasis; Psoriasis - drug therapy; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor - administration & dosage; Bullous dermatosis; Immunomodulator; Immunopathology; Skin disease; Intravenous administration; Etanercept; Dermatology; Bullous pemphigoid; Antipsoriatic agent; Autoimmune disease; Iodine
• ISSN: 0307-6938; 1365-2230
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2011.04102.x

Summary Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is one of the most common acquired immunobullous diseases. Rarely, the development of BP is attributed to drug exposure. We present two cases of BP, one triggered by intravenous iodine, and one associated with etanercept treatment in a patient with psoriasis; the first time, to our knowledge, that either of these associations has been reported. The recognition of occasional cases of drug‐induced BP such as ours, with timely cessation of the offending agent, may produce rapid clinical improvement with decreased exposure to potent immunosuppressive therapy.