title: Terbinafine-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nearly 10% of lupus erythematosus (LE) are drug induced. More than 60 different drugs are involved in iatrogenic LE. We report herein 3 cases of terbinafine-induced LE.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients receiving terbinafine for a suspected dermatophytic infection developed a subacute cutaneous LE, within 7 weeks following terbinafine introduction. The patients' medical history included sicca syndrome, lung carcinoma and Kikuchi disease, respectively. Clinical remission occurred within 15 weeks following terbinafine withdrawal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sixteen cases of terbinafine-induced LE have been previously reported, including 13 women. The median age was 54 years. Prior autoimmunity was reported in 10 cases, including 5 pre-existing LE. The median delay between terbinafine introduction and LE onset was 5 weeks. The median time until clinical recovery following terbinafine withdrawal was 8 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Terbinafine should be prescribed only in patients with proven dermatophytosis. We recommend cautious monitoring in patients with pre-existing autoimmunity. The diagnosis of terbinafine-induced LE should lead to the immediate and definitive withdrawal of the drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology 1, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris, France.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farhi
authors.forename: Manuelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viguier
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cosnes
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reygagne
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dubertret
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Revuz
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Roujeau
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bachelez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077291:Terbinafine
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D000077291:Terbinafine