Fluindione and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms: an unrecognised adverse effect?

PURPOSE: Fluindione is an oral vitamin K antagonist (indanedione derivative) exclusively marketed in France and Luxembourg, known to have immuno-allergic adverse effects such as hepatitis, fever or interstitial nephritis. A few cases of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported with fluindione. The aim of the present study was to investigate fluindione-induced DRESS cases reported in France and to describe their characteristics.

METHODS

We searched for potential cases of DRESS with fluindione reported in the French pharmacovigilance database since 2000.

RESULTS

Thirty-six cases of DRESS were included and concerned 17 women and 19 men. The mean age was 65 years (median: 68 years, range: 28-95 years). Kidneys and liver were the most frequent organs involved. Thirty-five cases were serious. In 5 cases, the effect was life-threatening. Most of the patients recovered. Fluindione was the only medicine suspected in 26 cases. Skin patch tests, performed in 10 cases, were positive with fluindione in 9 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluindione is not known to be a frequent cause of DRESS. However, the number of reports found is probably underestimated. The seriousness of DRESS, as all immuno-allergic adverse effects, contraindicates fluindione reintroduction. Coumarinic derivatives are the alternatives in patients who need oral anticoagulant treatment.