Pityriasis rosea-like drug eruption due to nortriptyline in a patient with vulvodynia.
BACKGROUND
Nortriptyline and other tricyclic antidepressants are widely used in the treatment of depression. They are also used in chronic pain syndromes such as vulvodynia. We report a case of pityriasis rosea (PR)-like eruption in a young woman who was treated with oral nortriptyline for vulvodynia.


METHODS
The patient presented with photosensitivity and erythematous, well-defined, oval papules and patches, with fine collarettes of scale on the dorsal hands, upper arms, and trunk. She showed a complete resolution of her rash with discontinuation of nortriptyline, thereby supporting the diagnosis of a drug-induced reaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Pityriasis rosea-like drug eruptions have been associated with numerous medications, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, antirheumatic drugs, lithium, and, more recently, biologics such as imatinib, adalimumab, and etanercept. A literature review did not reveal an association between PR-like drug eruptions and tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline. We report a case of PR-like drug reaction to nortriptyline for clinical interest.
Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. haider.bangash@gmail.com
Haider K
HK
Bangash
Tunisia
T
Finch
Vesna
V
Petronic-Rosic
Aisha
A
Sethi
Emily
E
Abramsohn
Stacy Tessler
ST
Lindau
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017515:Pityriasis Rosea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D056650:Vulvodynia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D009661:Nortriptyline