Doxycycline induced fixed drug eruption: a case report

ABSTRACT

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is an adverse drug reaction seen with various groups of drugs are antibiotics such as trimethoprim -sulphamethoxazle, pencillin, tetracyclines, non steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin etc. Doxycycline belongs to tetracycline groups of antibiotics. We herein present the case of Doxycycline induced fixed drug eruption. A 35-year - old man presented to our hospital, with a 2-day history of itching and hyperpigmentation over the chest. Patient developed skin lesion 2 days after and he started taking Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for skin infections. Dermatological examination revealed multiple well defined hyperpigmented patches seen over the anterior aspect of the chest. Doxycycline was discontinued immediately, and the skin lesions resolved spontaneously within 2 weeks. Causality assessment by using Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale and WHO Uppsala monitoring scale categorize the reaction as Doxycycline was the probable cause for the adverse drug reaction. Severity assessment by using modified Hartwig and Siegel ADR severity assessment scale labelled the reaction as mild-level 2. The causative drug or drugs and cross reactants should be avoided in future to prevent recurrence of similar skin reactions.