Terbinafine therapy may be associated with the development of psoriasis de novo or its exacerbation: four case reports and a review of drug-induced psoriasis

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997 May;36(5 Pt 2):858-62. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(97)70041-0.

Abstract

Adverse effects may occur in 10.4% of patients receiving terbinafine therapy, with cutaneous reactions in 2.7%. We describe the development of psoriasis in four patients who took oral terbinafine. Two patients had plaque-type psoriasis that flared 12 and 17 days, respectively, after starting terbinafine. Another patient developed pustular-type psoriasis de novo after 27 days of terbinafine therapy. The fourth patient was a psoriatic with stable plaque disease who experienced a pustular flare after taking terbinafine for 21 days. We are aware of only one report in the literature in which a patient developed pustular psoriasis de novo after 5 days of terbinafine therapy. In all patients the psoriasis cleared or lessened after discontinuation of terbinafine and institution of antipsoriatic therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Drug Eruptions / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Naphthalenes / adverse effects*
  • Psoriasis / chemically induced*
  • Psoriasis / pathology
  • Terbinafine

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Naphthalenes
  • Terbinafine