A first case of fixed drug eruption due to Tamsulosin

Fixed Drug Eruption (FDE) is a drug reaction involving the skin and less commonly the mucosal membranes. Tamsulosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Dizziness and headache are among its most common side effects (Singapore Med J, 2018;59:336). Although cutaneous drug eruption has been reported with other alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blockers.

Drug rash due to Tamsulosin is relatively uncommon (Singapore Med J, 2018;59:336). In this case we report an incidence of fixed drug eruption due to Tamsulosin.

A 54 year old male, with benign prostatic hyperplasia was referred to our office for evaluation of certain eruptions, having developed his hyper-pigmented patches after 2 weeks of using oral 0.4 mg Tamsulosin per day. Based on the clinical course and the skin biopsy we diagnosed the condition as Tamsulosin associated fixed drug eruption. The most important therapeutic measure was discontinuing Tamsulosin medication. Following this, his eruptions improved remarkably in a few days without complications.

According to previous findings, there has been no case report on fixed drug eruption caused by Tamsulosin.

Our case is a relatively mild form of fixed drug eruption. Therefore it should be kept in mind that a severe cutaneous drug eruption might occur after Tamsulosin administration.