PHOTOSENSITIVITY INDUCED BY METFORMIN : A REPORT OF 3 CASES

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.sidebar##

Published Dec 4, 2009
Download
pdf
Vol. 87 No. 10 (2009): Issue Oct 2009

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.main##

Sarrah Kastalli
Sihem El Aïdli
Amel Chaabane
Radhia Amrani
Riadh Daghfous
Chalbi Belkahia

Abstract

Background : Metformin is an oral antihypoglycemic drug. Its cutaneous side effects are rare and photosensitivity had not been reported.
Aim : Case report
Case report : We report 3 cases (a man and two women) of photosensitivity induced by metformin, notified to the Tunisian National Centre of Pharmacovigilance. Onset of the reaction was respectively 22 days, 4 months and 4 years. Daily dose of metformin varied from 1 to 2 tablets. Cutaneous lesions were located in sunexposed sites in all cases with extension to the back in one case. Lesions were eczematous in two cases and erythematous in one case. Lesions healed after stopping metformin in all cases with positive rechallenge in the 1st case.
Conclusion : In patient treated by metformin, occurrence of photosensitivity can be related to this drug.

Keywords:

Photosensitivity, metformin, oral antihypoglycemic drugs, adverse drug effect

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.details##

References

  1. Krans HMJ. Insulin, glucagon and oral hypoglycemic drugs. In; Dukes MNG, Aronson JK, 14th eds, Meylre's side effects of drugs, Elsevier Amsterdam, 2000 :1501-19.
  2. Bégaud B, Evreux JC, Jouglard J, Lagier G. Imputabilité des effets inattendus ou toxiques des médicaments : actualisation de la méthode utilisée en France. Thérapie 1985 ; 40 :111-8.
  3. Marguery MC. Photodermatoses médicamenteuses. Rev Prat 2000 ;50 :1315-9.
  4. Klapholz L, Leitersdorf E, Weinrauch L. Leucocytoclasic Vasculitis and pneumonitis induced by metformin. Br Med J 1986; 293:483.
  5. Azzam H, Bergman R, Friedman R. Lichen planus associated with metformin. Dermatology 1997; 194:376.
  6. Rafet Koca, H Cevdet Altinyazar, Sibel Yenidunya, Nilgun Sodak Tekin. Psoriasiform drug eruption associated with metformin hydrochloride: A case report. Dermatology 2003;9:11.
  7. Burger DE, Goyal S. Erythema multiforme from metformin. Annals of pharmacotherapy 2004; 38:1537.
  8. Roujeau JC, Bonnetblanc JM, Schmutz JL, Crickx B. Iatrogénie. Diagnostic et prévention: toxidermies médicamenteuses. Ann Dermatol Venereol 2002 ;129 : 2S163-9.
  9. Roujeau JC, Beani JC, Dubertret L, et al. Photosensibilité cutanée médicamenteuse : résultats d'une réunion de consensus. Thérapie 1989; 44:223-7.