Fixed drug eruption due to clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is one of the macrolide antibiotics used for cutaneous and respiratory system infections. Only a few cases of adverse cutaneous reactions to this drug have been reported. Here we report a rare case of clarithromycin-induced fixed drug eruption which could be reproduced by a peroral provocation test, whereas patch tests on both unaffected and residual pigmented skin yielded negative results. All cutaneous lesions that recurred due to the challenge test developed the same pigmentation after a short course of intravenous corticosteroid.