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Case Reports
. 2021 Mar 4;21(1):125.
doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03132-2.

Clonazepam-induced lichenoid drug eruption: a case report

Hee Won Yang  1 , Jong Bin Bae  2   3 , Jung-Im Na  4 , Ki Woong Kim  1   5   6
Affiliations
Case Reports

Clonazepam-induced lichenoid drug eruption: a case report

Hee Won Yang et al. BMC Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: Lichenoid drug eruption is rare and can mimic idiopathic lichen planus and other dermatoses. Clonazepam, a commonly used drug for the treatment of anxiety-related disorders and seizures, is known to be an unlikely cause of cutaneous adverse effects. Only one case report of LDE due to clonazepam has been reported.

Case presentation: A 81-year-old male patient with Alzheimer's disease developed a lichenoid eruption after taking clonazepam. He developed a violaceous scaly patch on his lower extremities, from both buttocks to the feet. The cutaneous eruption resolved 2 months after cessation of clonazepam and with initiation of corticosteroid therapy.

Conclusion: A skin eruption that develops after clonazepam administration can be a lichenoid drug eruption, which is less likely to resolve spontaneously and requires discontinuation of clonazepam administration.

Keywords: Clonazepam; Cutaneous; Drug eruption; Lichenoid.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Violaceous scaly patch on the left foot (a) and both lower legs (b)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Histopathological findings show lichenoid dermatitis pattern with superficial perivascular lymphocyte infiltration and focal basal vacuolization (H&E stain, × 100, × 400)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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