[Erythema multiforme caused by saquinavir].
BACKGROUND
Saquinavir is a protease inhibitor used for the treatment of HIV infection. Adverse skin reactions have been rare. We report here the first case of erythema multiforme in a patient given saquinavir.


METHODS
A 32-year-old man was seropositive for HIV and consulted due to the development of round maculo-papular lesions centered on a bulla and two erosive lesions of the palate five days after the introduction of saquinavir. Histology was compatible with erythema multiforme. After withdrawal of saquinavir, the skin and mucosal lesions regressed in 15 days, with no recurrence at 3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Adverse skin reactions to saquinavir are exceptional (eruptions, pruritus). We describe here the first case of erythema multiforme caused by saquinavir (imputability criteria 12 BO). Due to the structural analogy of saquinavir with other protease inhibitors (indiravir, ritonavir, nelfinavir) it would be difficult to prescribe a compound of the same class.
Garat
H
H
Département de Dermatologie, Vénéréologie et Allergologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Purpan, Toulouse.
el Sayed
F
F
Obadia
M
M
Bazex
J
J
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000075202:Contraindications; D004892:Erythema Multiforme / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology; D019258:Saquinavir / Q000009:adverse effects*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors; D019258:Saquinavir