Pirfenidone-induced photosensitivity confirmed by pathological phototest

A Case of Pirfenidone-Induced Photosensitive Drug Eruption

A 75-year-old male was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and treated with pirfenidone. He presented with an erythematous thick scaly patch on his face, neck, and both hands and arms. He had a history of significant exposure to sunlight without using sunscreen. All lesions were restricted to sun-exposed areas and appeared one month ago. Histopathological examination revealed necrotic keratinocytes, epidermal spongiosis, liquefaction degeneration of the basal layer, interface dermatitis, solar elastosis, and upper dermal perivascular lympho-histiocytic infiltration. Based on clinical and histopathological findings, the skin lesion could be diagnosed as photosensitive drug eruption induced by pirfenidone. Pirfenidone was discontinued for a month, and the patient was treated with oral and topical corticosteroids. Consequently, the skin lesion almost fully cleared, leaving mild postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Although there are many reports of photosensitivity reactions to pirfenidone, dermatologists are still not familiar with this drug. Through this case presentation, clinicians should be aware of the potential phototoxic effects of pirfenidone and provide the necessary precautionary information to patients who take pirfenidone.

A Case Report of Pirfenidone-Induced Lichenoid Drug Eruption in a Patient with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and lethal lung disease characterized by progressive dyspnea and irreversible loss of lung function. Pirfenidone is a novel anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory drug, which reduces deterioration in the lung function and prolongs progression-free survival in patients with IPF. However, it has adverse effects including gastrointestinal symptoms, hepatic dysfunction or skin photosensitivity, and rash. Lichenoid drug eruption (LDE) refers to lichen planus-like drug eruption usually presenting symmetric eczematous plaques with a purple hue. To date, numerous cases of LDE due to various drugs and pirfenidone-associated photosensitivity have been reported. However, a case of pirfenidone-induced LDE has been very rarely reported to our knowledge. Herein, is a case of pirfenidone-induced LDE so that clinicians can be aware of the possibility of LDE when using pirfenidone.

Retrospective analysis of skin photosensitivity induced by pirfenidone

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Knowledge regarding the association between photosensitivity and pirfenidone is based mainly on case reports. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of photosensitivity associated with pirfenidone.

METHODS

We collected studies on photosensitivity induced by pirfenidone published from 2008 to 31 August 2021 in Chinese and English for a retrospective analysis.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The median age was 70 years (range 57-80) in 22 patients with pirfenidone-induced photosensitivity. The dose at the onset of symptoms ranged from 600 to 2403 mg for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Pirfenidone-induced photosensitivity occurred within 1 week in some patients and up to 8 months in others. The most common clinical manifestation of photosensitivity caused by pirfenidone was itching on body parts exposed to sunlight (back of hands, face, neck, and limbs) in 15 patients followed by erythema in 13 patients. Histopathological examination revealed necrotic keratinocytes, lymphocytic inflammatory cell infiltrate, hyperkeratosis and liquefaction degeneration in 5 patients. The photosensitivity test showed a markedly decreased minimum erythema dose (MED) of 7-228 mJ/cm² UV-B in 4 patients and 4.86-12 J/cm² UV-A in 5 patients. The clinical symptoms were significantly improved or completely relieved with a median time of 4 weeks (range 1-8) after drug withdrawal, dose reduction or systemic and topical glucocorticoid therapy.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be aware of the potential phototoxic effects of pirfenidone and should inform patients to take pirfenidone during (or after) a meal, avoid sun exposure, wear protective clothing, and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with high ultraviolet UVA and UVB protection.

Severe Photosensitivity Reaction After Pirfenidone Use

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive disease with a significant mortality rate. Pirfenidone is one of two oral antifibrotic therapies approved to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Pirfenidone helps decrease disease progression in patients with IPF and reduces vital capacity. This has led to widespread use of this medication in recent years. In this case report, we present a 60-year-old male who started treatment with pirfenidone for IPF and had severe skin reactions after initiation of therapy.

Pirfenidone-Induced Photosensitive Dermatitis: A Rare Side Effect

Many classes of drugs are known to cause a photosensitive reaction, including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and nonsteroidal drugs. Pirfenidone is an anti-inflammatory drug that is used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We report a case of a patient who developed a photosensitive rash secondary to pirfenidone use, which resolved after discontinuing administration of the drug.

Cutaneous Adverse Events in Newly Approved FDA Non-cancer Drugs: A Systematic Review

The prevalence of cutaneous adverse events attributable to newly approved anti-cancer drugs has been well reviewed in the dermatologic literature. In contrast, over 75% of US Food and Drug Administration approvals in the past 5 years have been for non-cancer drugs and indications. This represents multiple other categories of approved medications associated with cutaneous adverse reactions. To investigate the cutaneous adverse events associated with these potentially neglected medications, a systematic review was conducted. Two hundred and forty-one medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration between 2013 and 2018 were reviewed and 180 non-oncologic drugs were identified. The prescribing information for each medication was reviewed for the presence of cutaneous adverse events and a supplemental literature search was performed to better characterize any adverse events outlined within the prescribing information. Most reactions were classified as morbilliform, macular, popular, or maculopapular. Fortunately, only a few severe cutaneous adverse reactions were reported, namely in benznidazole, cannabidiol, and sofosbuvir. This review summarizes available data drawn from clinical trials and case reports involving cutaneous adverse events from the 21 non-oncologic medications associated with cutaneous adverse events.