Fluoroquinolone-induced generalised fixed drug eruption: a rare clinical image

¹Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (DMIHER), Deemed University, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, India, ²Department of Respiratory Medicine, Datta Meghe Medical College, Nagpur, India, ³Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (DMIHER), Deemed University, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, India

^&Corresponding author
Gaurang Aurangabadkar, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Datta Meghe Medical College, Nagpur, India

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Fluoroquinolones are commonly used as antimicrobial agents in patients presenting with respiratory diseases with levofloxacin, ofloxacin, and moxifloxacin, and having a significant role in the management of pulmonary tuberculosis and atypical pneumonia. However, the use of fluoroquinolones is also associated with the development of adverse drug reactions such as tendon rupture, Qtc interval prolongation, and generalised drug eruptions. Here, we present to you a 70-year-old male patient who presented with generalised drug eruption rash over the body 3 days after starting levofloxacin therapy for atypical pneumonia. The patient was treated as per the dermatologist's advice with oral corticosteroids and antihistamines. After 7 days, significant improvement was noted in skin eruptions. This clinical image aims to highlight a rare adverse effect of a commonly used antimicrobial agent.

Figure 1: multiple lesions of generalised drug eruption in a patient treated with levofloxacin