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Carolyn J. Steber, Scott L. Perkins, Kira B. Harris
(Levine College of Health Sciences, Wingate University, Wingate, NC, USA)
Am J Case Rep 2016; 17:231-234
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.896424
BACKGROUND:
A fixed-drug eruption (FDE) is a reaction characterized by cutaneous lesions that appear due to exposure to a particular drug. Barbiturates, carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracyclines have all been associated with causation of FDEs. Although these drugs are more commonly associated with FDEs, any introduction of a medication has the potential to result in a FDE. Metformin, a commonly used medication to improve glycemic control, has been reported to cause dermatologic reactions in some case reports, but only a single previously documented case report discusses the potential of metformin-associated FDE.
CASE REPORT:
We describe a 56-year-old woman who developed a FDE with multiple exposures to metformin. Upon each exposure, small, round, erythematic lesions developed on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; these lesions resolved each time after discontinuation of metformin. According to the Naranjo scale, there is a definite association between metformin and FDE in this case (score of 8).
CONCLUSIONS:
This report contributes to the limited documented literature on metformin-induced FDE. Clinicians should be made aware of possible FDEs associated with this commonly used medication.