Captopril-induced lichen planus pemphigoides.

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP) possibly induced by captopril.

CASE SUMMARY: A 74-year-old woman developed pruriginous and bullous lichenoid eruption after starting captopril for hypertension. Histopathological and immunological features were consistent with the diagnosis of LPP that was managed by discontinuing captopril and corticosteroid therapy. Eight months after the cessation of oral steroid therapy, no relapse had occurred.

DISCUSSION: LPP, a rare skin disorder, has been generally considered to represent a mixture of clinical, histopathological and immunological patterns of lichen planus and bullous pemphigoid. It is predominantly idiopathic. However, in rare cases it has been associated with the administration of drugs. Here we present a typical LPP related to the use of captopril.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should be aware of the ability of captopril to induce LPP.