title: Allergic contact dermatitis due to beta-blockers in eye drops: a retrospective analysis of multicentre surveillance data 1993-2004.
abstract: Topically applied ophthalmic drugs are a potential cause of allergic contact dermatitis of the periorbital region. The objectives of this study were to assess the frequency and spectrum of contact allergy to topically applied beta-blocker containing eye drops. Data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) collected between 1993 and 2004 was analysed. Out of 112,430 patch-tested patients, 332 had been tested with their own topical anti-glaucoma eye drops containing different beta-blockers because of suspected allergic contact dermatitis. The frequency of positive test reactions was related to exposure intensity, as estimated by annual prescription rates in Germany. A total of 43/332 (12.95%) showed at least one positive patch test reaction. Positive reactions were observed to products containing timolol (n = 21), metipranolol (n = 13) and levobunolol (n = 11) without conceivable cross-reactivity. Whereas exposure to beta-blocker-containing eye drops remained stable over the years, as estimated by the prescription rates, a slight, non-significant increase in positive patch-reactions to these substances was noted. This is the first systematic analysis of a large set of data on patients' own beta-blocker topical medications, the results indicating that contact allergy should be considered as important, if rare, adverse event caused by this family of drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, Germany. Uta_Jappe@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Uta
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jappe
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Uter
authors.forename: Cristiane A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Menezes de Pádua
authors.forename: Rudolf A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Herbst
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schnuch
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D000328:Adult; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000737:chemistry*; D010328:Patch Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions