Cimetidine-induced xerosis and asteatotic dermatitis

Cimetidine, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist, has previously been shown to have antiandrogenic activity in animals and to decrease the sebum excretion rate in humans. Two patients had generalized xerosis and asteatotic dermatitis that developed while they were receiving cimetidine therapy and resolved when cimetidine therapy was discontinued. We postulate that this skin change is related to the antiandrogenic properties of the drug and its effect on the sebum secretion rate.