Drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus caused by amlodipine

Introduction
Drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a variant of lupus caused by exposure to certain drugs. It presents as annular or psoriasiform lesions located in regions which are exposed to UV radiation.

Objective
To report a case of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus induced by amlodipine.

Case report
A 78-year-old woman was admitted to our department with annular erythematous lesions which had appeared 5 months earlier on the upper extremities and trunk. Six months prior to the admission, amlodipine was added to the cardiac drugs previously used by the patient. The clinical findings and results of additional diagnostic tests suggested the diagnosis of drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Amlodipine was discontinued and adjuvant treatment was introduced, resulting in a significant improvement in skin condition.

Conclusions
In cases of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, particularly those developing in patients aged 50 and older drugs, including amlodipine should always be considered as possible causative factors. A detailed analysis of medications used by such patients is necessary to determine the potential of the drugs to induce lesions and the time frame during which such lesions typically arise.