Authors
Department of Medicine, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, Karnataka, India
Abstract
Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is an unusual adverse effect of any drug, especially antibiotics like
clarithromycin. Herein we report a case of clarithromycin induced FDE in a 30‑year‑old man
who presented with recurrent erythematous and pruritic cutaneous lesions on the lower
lip, right hand and left thigh. The lesions were initially misdiagnosed as lichen planus and
treated with topical steroids. Each recurrence was at the same site and the lesions faded
within 2 weeks leaving behind violacceous pigmentation. All the cutaneous lesions were
reproduced following an oral provocation test thus confirming the diagnosis of clarithromycin
induced FDE, which is a rare occurrence. When it does occur, it is often misdiagnosed, so
physicians should be aware of this condition in order to prevent future recurrences as it
causes a lot of cosmetic and physical discomfort to the patient.
Keywords
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