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Geographic tongue and tenofovir
Alexandre Oliveira Ferreira1, Rui Tato Marinho, José Velosa
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical School of Lisbon, Hospital Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal. alex.fsof@gmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|April 20, 2013
Summary
Tenofovir, a medication for chronic hepatitis B, may cause severe painful tongue symptoms, a condition known as geographic tongue. This adverse drug reaction, though rare, can significantly impact a patient's quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B management often involves antiviral medications.
- Tenofovir is a commonly prescribed nucleotide analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor for hepatitis B.
- Adverse drug reactions can manifest in various ways, affecting patient adherence and quality of life.
Observation:
- A 55-year-old male on tenofovir developed severe odynophagia and tongue pain.
- Physical examination revealed erythematous patches on the tongue.
- Biopsy confirmed benign migratory glossitis (geographic tongue).
Findings:
- This case presents the first reported association between tenofovir and symptomatic geographic tongue.
- Geographic tongue, typically asymptomatic, can cause significant discomfort and impair quality of life.
- The patient required topical corticosteroid therapy for symptom management.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider geographic tongue as a potential adverse effect of tenofovir, especially with new-onset oral symptoms.
- Further research is warranted to understand the mechanism of tenofovir-induced glossitis.
- Recognition of this association can lead to timely diagnosis and appropriate management, improving patient outcomes.
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