title: Ketotifen--a therapeutic agent of eosinophilic fasciitis?
abstract: A 30-year-old male with eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) associated with morphoea and vitiligo is described. The patient showed a partial response to prednisone, but did not respond to hydroxychloroquine, D-penicillamine and cimetidine. In the light of reports of increased plasma histamine levels, and a putative role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of EF, ketotifen (a mast cell stabilizer) was prescribed. This non-toxic drug has allowed the patient to continue hard physical labour without further relapses and without corticosteroid therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Timaru Hospital, New Zealand.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Ching
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Leibowitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D007665:Ketotifen