Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions with Antimalarials and Allergological Skin Tests

Dermatology. 2015;231(4):353-9. doi: 10.1159/000438787. Epub 2015 Oct 13.

Abstract

Background: Currently used antimalarial drugs (AM) are hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, which are prescribed for many autoimmune disorders. The value of skin tests on cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADR) with AM remains unknown.

Objective: The main objective of this retrospective study is to know whether skin tests for AM are useful and how to manage the recovery of AM therapy in these patients.

Methods: All patients referred for suspected CADR secondary to AM between 2001 and 2014 in eight French dermatology centers were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: We report herein a retrospective series of 20 patients with CADR and AM involvement. Skin tests, performed in 14/20 patients, were negative in all cases. Six patients had an oral provocation test with recurrence of CADR in 1 case.

Conclusion: We encourage dermatologists to perform oral provocation tests in nonsevere CADR in order to allow AM rechallenge at progressive doses.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antimalarials / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Chloroquine / adverse effects*
  • Drug Eruptions / etiology*
  • Drug Eruptions / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Skin Tests
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Chloroquine