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Sulfasalazine and dermatitis herpetiformis
Author(s) -
Willsteed Elizabeth,
Lee Michael,
Wong Li Chuen,
Cooper Alan
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2005.00152.x
Subject(s) - dermatitis herpetiformis , sulfasalazine , sulfapyridine , medicine , dapsone , dermatology , ulcerative colitis , disease , chemistry , organic chemistry
SUMMARY Dermatitis herpetiformis that is unable to be controlled using dapsone and a gluten‐free diet presents a therapeutic challenge. Three cases that responded well to sulfasalazine are presented. Two cases, who were unable to tolerate dapsone, had a rapid response to sulfasalazine, without apparent side‐effects. The third case with dapsone‐responsive blistering dermatoses, presumed to be dermatitis herpetiformis on the basis of serology, showed an excellent clinical response to sulfasalazine, but after 6 weeks of therapy had to cease it because of side‐effects. Sulfasalazine is metabolized variably to sulfapyridine, a sulphonamide known to be an effective therapy for dermatitis herpetiformis but no longer available. Sulfasalazine should be considered as a management option for dermatitis herpetiformis.