title: Drug induced systemic lupus erythematosus due to ophthalmic timolol.
abstract: We report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) apparently induced by topical use of ophthalmic timolol maleate, a beta adrenergic blocking agent. The patient developed fever, malaise, pleurisy and recurrent sterile pleural effusions while taking no medication other than timolol. Antinuclear antibodies in a homogenous pattern, and markedly elevated histone antibodies (IgG anti-(H2A-H2B)-DNA) were present while antibodies to native DNA were absent. After discontinuation of the timolol, his symptoms improved promptly and the pleural effusions resolved. To our knowledge, this is the first report of timolol induced SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Zamber
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Starkebaum
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wener
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006657:Histones / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000150:complications; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D006657:Histones; D013999:Timolol