Drug-Induced Hyperpigmentation: Review and Case Series

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Pharmacology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Hyperpigmentation significantly impacts patient appearance and quality of life.
• Few studies have investigated drug-induced hyperpigmentation, a common dermatologic issue.
• Understanding drug-induced hyperpigmentation is crucial for patient management and treatment adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence and causes of drug-induced hyperpigmentation.
• To identify frequently implicated medications in hyperpigmentation.
• To raise awareness among healthcare professionals regarding drug-induced hyperpigmentation.

Main Methods:

• A study was conducted in an outpatient dermatology clinic.
• Data was collected from patients presenting between August 1, 2017, and April 20, 2018.
• Patient records were analyzed to identify drug-induced hyperpigmentation cases.

Main Results:

• The incidence of drug-induced hyperpigmentation was 1.31% among new dermatology consultations.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (25%) and antihypertensive agents (18.75%) were the most frequent drug classes identified.
• Hyperpigmentation occurred in mucosal areas (25%) and sun-exposed regions (37.5%).

Conclusions:

• Diagnosing drug-induced hyperpigmentation presents a challenge, requiring differentiation from other causes.
• Polypharmacy increases the risk of drug-induced hyperpigmentation.
• Physicians should consider medications as a potential cause of hyperpigmentation for accurate diagnosis and treatment.