Metoprolol-induced Total Body Erythroderma

A 66-year-old female with psoriasis presented with a rash that appeared 2 months after starting metoprolol for new-onset atrial fibrillation. Her skin examination was notable for total body erythroderma with generalized scaling (Fig. 1a–b). She had thick, micaceous scale covering her entire scalp, with sparse eyebrows and eyelashes.

Figure 1.

On presentation, the patient had total body erythroderma and generalized scaling (a and b). After treatment with systemic cyclosporine and topical steroids for 4 weeks, the patient had a significant improvement in the micaceous scale on her scalp (c), and the total body erythroderma almost completely resolved (c and d)

The differential diagnosis for erythroderma includes psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, drug eruptions, hematologic malignancies, and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.¹ A punch biopsy showed psoriasiform dermatitis with abundant eosinophils, consistent with a drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction superimposed on a psoriatic diathesis. Medications, including tetracyclines, lithium, and beta-blockers, can directly trigger a psoriasis flare.² Alternatively, medications that cause a hypersensitivity reaction may trigger a psoriasis flare through the Koebner phenomenon.³ The latter mechanism was implicated in this case, with metoprolol as the offending agent.

This patient’s metoprolol was discontinued, and she was treated with oral cyclosporine with significant improvement of her skin findings (Fig. 1c–d). This case highlights how beta-blockers, a common class of medications, can cause a dramatic flare of a patient’s psoriasis. These medications should be discontinued if possible when there is a concern for a drug-induced psoriasis flare.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they do not have a conflict of interest.