[Cutaneous reactions to propranolol (author's transl)].

A 17-year-old male patient with eczematous and psoriasiform eruption that developed during long-term therapy with Propanolol (Avlocardyl) has been studied. This eruption disappeared after removal of the drug; oral challenge was soon followed by a vesiculous and bullous eruption of face and extremities; five months later, sun exposure was followed by a severe eczematous eruption in these areas; nails changes were then observed. Most of side-effects of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs have been reported with Practolol: lichenoid, exanthematous, eczematous, psoriasiform rashes; exfoliative dermatitis; oculo-muco-cutaneous reactions; fibrosing polyseritis and drug induced systemic lupus erythematosus manifestations. Adverse effects of other beta-adrenergic blocking agents are less frequent. The pathogenetic mechanism responsible for these adverse reactions is still obscur: these changes might be caused by blockade of the epidermal cells (and T-lymphocytes) beta-receptors, more than by a direct immunologic, allergic or toxic mechanism.