Lingual hyperpigmentation associated with minocycline therapy

Abstract

Minocycline can cause hyperpigmentation of the conjunctiva, oral mucosa, and skin. Pigmentation of the oral mucosa may also be associated with a variety of endogenous or exogenous factors. Lingual pigmentation may be seen in Addison's disease, amalgam tatoo, malignant melanoma, Peutz-Jegher's syndrome, and other diseases. Two women who had isolated pigmentation of the tongue while taking minocycline are described; no other drug-induced pigmentation of their oral mucosa or skin occurred. Minocycline-induced pigmentation should be added to the differential diagnosis of isolated lingual hyperpigmentation.