Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
12:23
Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering
Published on: October 12, 2012
10.9K
Levetiracetam-Induced Skin Hyperpigmentation: An Extremely Rare Undesirable Side Effect
Hussein Algahtani1, Siham Marghalani1, Mohamed Satti1
1Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Journal of Epilepsy Research
|January 19, 2018
Summary
Levetiracetam, an antiepileptic drug, can rarely cause skin hyperpigmentation. This side effect resolved after stopping the medication, highlighting the need for physician awareness and patient education.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Levetiracetam is a widely used second-generation antiepileptic drug.
- Cutaneous adverse effects of levetiracetam are uncommon in clinical practice.
- Understanding drug-induced dermatoses is crucial for patient safety.
Observation:
- A case of a patient developing skin hyperpigmentation during levetiracetam treatment is presented.
- The hyperpigmentation showed complete resolution upon discontinuation of levetiracetam therapy.
- This represents the first reported instance of levetiracetam-induced skin hyperpigmentation.
Findings:
- Levetiracetam treatment was associated with the development of skin hyperpigmentation.
- Cessation of levetiracetam led to the reversal of the cutaneous side effect.
- The study reviews potential mechanisms for this rare dermatological reaction.
Implications:
- Increased physician awareness of levetiracetam's potential for skin hyperpigmentation is necessary.
- Early diagnosis and prompt drug withdrawal are key to managing this side effect.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology of levetiracetam-induced hyperpigmentation.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Absolute and Local Extreme Values
91
The highest and lowest values of a function, relative to a reference axis, are known as extreme values. These include absolute maximum and absolute minimum values, which represent the highest and lowest points the function reaches across its entire domain. Within a restricted portion of the function, the highest and lowest values are referred to as local maximum and local minimum values, respectively.Periodic functions, such as sine and cosine, show extreme values at infinitely many points due...
91
01:30Skin Cancer
6.1K
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
6.1K
01:16Sensory Functions of the Skin
8.5K
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
8.5K
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
5.7K
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
5.7K
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
8.1K
The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
8.1K
01:05Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails
3.5K
Nails are one of the important accessory structures of the skin. They are hard, protective structures that cover the dorsal surface of the distal phalanges of fingers and toes. Nails are composed of specialized keratinized cells and serve various functions, including protection, sensation, and manual dexterity.
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
3.5K