Generalized bullous fixed drug eruption induced by chlordiazepoxide: a case report of a potentially lethal adverse effect

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fixed drug eruption is a type of adverse drug reaction affecting the skin, marked by recurrent rashes that appear at the same site each time a particular drug is taken. Generalized bullous fixed drug eruption (GBFDE) is a severe form of FDE characterized by vesicles or bullae and involvement of a significant portion of the body surface area. To date, no association between GBFDE and chlordiazepoxide has been reported in the literature.

CASE REPORT: The authors present the case of a 40-year-old male inpatient in the psychiatry department of a tertiary care hospital in Assam, India. The patient was admitted in an alcohol withdrawal state and was initially prescribed chlordiazepoxide at a dose of 60 mg/day. He developed GBFDE within a day of chlordiazepoxide administration. The drug was discontinued, and he was treated with oral and topical corticosteroids instead, resulting in a significant improvement.

CONCLUSION: Сhlordiazepoxide is a rare but potential trigger of GBFDE. Clinicians should closely monitor patients on chlordiazepoxide for possible signs of GBFDE.

Keywords

generalized bullous fixed drug eruption / chlordiazepoxide / alcohol withdrawal / benzodiazepines / adverse effect / case report

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RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Singh R., Sudhanshu V., Shafiq M., Sharma M.