D-Penicillamine--induced pemphigus syndrome

Abstract

D-Penicillamine is a chelating agent which is effective in the treatment of Wilson's disease, cystinuria, and lead poisoning. In recent years, it has also been used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis with good results. The adverse effects of D-penicillamine are many. These include loss of taste, nephrotic syndrome, lupus erythematosus--like syndrome, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, myasthenia gravis, and agranulocytosis. Beginning in 1969, D-penicillamine was reported to induce a pemphigus eruption. We present a patient with D-penicillamine--induced pemphigus erythematosus and review previously reported cases.