RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Fluindione is an oral anticoagulant belonging to the vitamin K antagonist class. Although fluindione is very widely prescribed in France, few cases of cutaneous drug reactions have been reported. Below we describe a case of acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis due to fluindione as confirmed by patch-testing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 70-year-old woman was hospitalised for diffuse erythematous and pustular rash 48hours after initiation of fluindione treatment for cardiac arrhythmia. A diagnosis of fluindione-induced acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis was made. After withdrawal of fluindione, the eruption cleared up within eight days. Warfarin was then used without skin reaction. Subsequent patch-tests were positive for fluindione. DISCUSSION: These signs were consistent with fluindione-induced acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis. A causative role of fluindione is very likely in view of the rapid onset after initiation, improvement after withdrawal and positive patch tests. Skin patch-testing, which is easily performed, can be extremely helpful in determining a causal relationship with medication.