Oral contraceptives and porphyria cutanea tarda

The clinical and biochemical findings in two cases of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) are presented. The cases are unique in their early age of onset (24 and 22 years) and their apparent precipitation by low-dosage oral contraceptives.Review of the literature reveals these to be the two youngest patients with estrogen-induced PCT. Only one other case of PCT induced by low-dosage oral contraceptives has been reported. In most cases of PCT induced by estrogens, high dosages have been taken by patients over age 35.