[Esomeprazol-induced cutaneous lupus erythematosus].

Proton pump inhibitors are among the most commonly used drugs worldwide. They are considered to be largely safe and cause little side-effects. We report a 69-year-old woman who suffered from erythematous plaques 2 months after initiating therapy with esomeprazole. The diagnosis of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus was based on the clinical picture together with characteristic histological features of a skin biopsy specimen and the detection of anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. In particular, the temporal relationship with the onset of proton pump inhibitor therapy led to the high-level suspicion of a drug-induced pathogenesis. Strengthening the initially suspected diagnosis, the characteristic skin lesions resolved almost completely without specific therapy after discontinuation of the medication. If typical skin lesions occur in light-exposed areas in connection with the administration of PPI, the possibility of a drug-induced cutaneous lupus erythematosus should always be considered. Due to the frequent recurrence rate after renewed exposure, a new therapy with PPI should be avoided.