Pityriasis rosea-like drug eruption due to nortriptyline in a patient with vulvodynia.

BACKGROUND: Nortriptyline and other tricyclic antidepressants are widely used in the treatment of depression. They are also used in chronic pain syndromes such as vulvodynia. We report a case of pityriasis rosea (PR)-like eruption in a young woman who was treated with oral nortriptyline for vulvodynia.

CASE REPORT: The patient presented with photosensitivity and erythematous, well-defined, oval papules and patches, with fine collarettes of scale on the dorsal hands, upper arms, and trunk. She showed a complete resolution of her rash with discontinuation of nortriptyline, thereby supporting the diagnosis of a drug-induced reaction.

COMMENT: Pityriasis rosea-like drug eruptions have been associated with numerous medications, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, antirheumatic drugs, lithium, and, more recently, biologics such as imatinib, adalimumab, and etanercept. A literature review did not reveal an association between PR-like drug eruptions and tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline. We report a case of PR-like drug reaction to nortriptyline for clinical interest.