title: A case of penicillamine-induced dermopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We describe an interesting patient with penicillamine-induced dermopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 49-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of recurrent haemorrhagic blisters, milia and purpura over both her elbows, while on long-term penicillamine therapy (1.5 g daily) for Wilson's disease. Histologically, dermal elastin fibres were markedly reduced in the affected areas, consistent with penicillamine-induced elastolysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient's lesions improved significantly after reduction of her penicillamine dose to 500 mg daily.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cutaneous side effects of long-term penicillamine therapy are important to recognise as they may be associated with significant morbidity and may be markers of more ominous underlying systemic elastic fibre damage.
authors: National Skin Centre, 1 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308205. marktang@nsc.gov.sg
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Tang
authors: T M
authors: TM
authors: Chin
authors: C K
authors: CK
authors: Yap
authors: S K
authors: SK
authors: Ng
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008875:Middle Aged; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D010396:Penicillamine