Photoallergic Eczema Induced by Fenofibrate

Introduction: Fenofibrate may cause adverse skin reactions, such as photosensitivity. Sun protection measures are generally sufficient to reduce it, especially if it is a phototoxicity reaction. However, in certain situations, the only way to reduce symptoms, is to stop the causative drug. Objective...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inDrug safety Vol. 45; no. 10; p. 1255
Main Authors Hammamia, S B, Zaiem, A, Lakhoua, G, Charfi, O, Aouinti, I, Kastalli, S, Daghfous, R, Aidli, S E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Auckland Springer Nature B.V 01.10.2022
Subjects
Case reports
Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent)
Eczema
Edema
Erythema
Fenofibrate
Forehead
Hydrochlorothiazide
Hypertension
Hypertriglyceridemia
Pharmacovigilance
Photosensitivity
Phototoxicity
Skin diseases
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Summary:Introduction: Fenofibrate may cause adverse skin reactions, such as photosensitivity. Sun protection measures are generally sufficient to reduce it, especially if it is a phototoxicity reaction. However, in certain situations, the only way to reduce symptoms, is to stop the causative drug. Objective: We report a case of photoallergic eczema caused by fenofibrate with regression only upon treatment withdrawal. Methods: This case was notified to the National Center of Pharmacovigilance and was analyzed according to the Naranjo causality scale method [1]. Results: A 66-year-old woman was put on glicazide for type 2 diabetes, ibesartan-hydrochlorothiazide for arterial hypertension and fenofibrate 160 mg for hypertriglyceridemia. Two months after the start of this last, she presented with edematous erythema of the forehead and the back of the hands, concomitant with prolonged sun exposure. Despite several cutaneous topicals and physical sun protection measures, there was an exacerbation of the edema and appearance of vesicular elements. The diagnosis of photoallergic eczema was made and discontinuation of fenofibrate was recommended. The symptoms regressed then, in 10 days. Conclusion: Drug photosensitivity, a trivialized and under-reported drug event, can be serious and even life-threatening. This risk is all the more important in sunny areas, such as African continent, where physical sun protection measures, seem ineffective and only stopping the causative drug improves the symptomatology. Hence the importance of making practitioners aware of this adverse event induced by fenofibrate.
ISSN:0114-5916
1179-1942