Premium
Levamisole‐induced myopathy and leukocytoclastic vasculitis: a case report and literature review
Author(s) -
Tsai MengHsuan,
Yang JenHung,
Kung ShengLing,
Hsiao YuPing
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/dth.12018
Subject(s) - levamisole , medicine , leukocytoclastic vasculitis , dermatology , myopathy , vasculitis , purpura (gastropod) , adverse effect , weakness , surgery , ecology , disease , biology
Levamisole, an immunomodulator and anthelmintic medication, has been used in dermatology for years. Even though the adverse effects are usually mild and reversible, attention should be paid toward severe events such as vasculitis and neutropenia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on a patient presenting with myopathy caused by levamisole. Here, we report a 34‐year‐old woman with recalcitrant warts who received levamisole 100 mg daily for 5 days. Subsequently, bilateral lower limb weakness accompanied by multiple painful and non‐blanchable purpura was noted. Levamisole‐induced myopathy and leukocytoclastic vasculitis were diagnosed by skin histopathology, direct immunofluorescence, and electromyography. After discontinuing levamisole and giving a short course of systemic steroid, these symptoms demonstrated a resolving trend.