Chloroquine-induced hyperpigmentation of the hard palate.

This article reports a rare case of extensive palatal pigmentation secondary to long-term chloroquine treatment. Chloroquine was originally used as an antimalarial agent, but it is now widely used as an adjunct in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Adverse effects of chloroquine usually include skin changes such as bullous pemphigoid, exacerbation of psoriasis, and pigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes as well as retinopathy, gastrointestinal alterations, and neuromuscular disorders. Extensive oral pigmentation is an uncommon feature of an adverse drug effect, and diagnosis should be based on clinicopathological findings.