Generalized Bullous Fixed Drug Eruption Induced by Chlordiazepoxide: A Case Report of a Potentially Lethal Adverse Effect.

BACKGROUND

Fixed drug eruption is a type of adverse drug reaction affecting the skin, marked by recurrent rashes that appear at the same site each time a particular drug is taken. Generalized bullous fixed drug eruption (GBFDE) is a severe form of FDE characterized by vesicles or bullae and involvement of a significant portion of the body surface area. To date, no association between GBFDE and chlordiazepoxide has been reported in the literature.

CASE REPORT: The authors present the case of a 40-year-old male inpatient in the psychiatry department of a tertiary care hospital in Assam, India. The patient was admitted in an alcohol withdrawal state and was initially prescribed chlordiazepoxide at a dose of 60 mg/day. He developed GBFDE within a day of chlordiazepoxide administration. The drug was discontinued, and he was treated with oral and topical corticosteroids instead, resulting in a significant improvement.

CONCLUSION

Chlordiazepoxide is a rare but potential trigger of GBFDE. Clinicians should closely monitor patients on chlordiazepoxide for possible signs of GBFDE.