Clofazimine-induced skin pigmentation

Ashwin Karnan, Anjana Ledwani

PAMJ. 2024; 47:86. Published 26 Feb 2024 | doi:10.11604/pamj.2024.47.86.42513

A 54-year-old male presented to the outpatient department with complaints of black discoloration of skin and nails for the past 1 month. The patient gave a history of multi-drug resistant sputum positive tuberculosis for which he is on antitubercular drugs (Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide, Clofazimine, Bedaquiline, Levofloxacin, and Ethionamide) for the past 9 months. A dermoscopy was done which showed yellow globules in a honeycombing pattern and hyperpigmentation with sparing of the sweat glands. A diagnosis of Clofazimine-induced hyperpigmentation was made. As a Physician, with tuberculosis nearing elimination, monitoring and managing the adverse effects of drugs is important. Clofazimine is a riminophenazine dye that has both anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory action. It is absorbed orally and is known to accumulate in tissues. It has a very long half-life of about 70 days and is excreted in small amounts in bile, urine, and sweat. It is used in leprosy, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, lepra reaction, and in other mycobacterial infections. Clofazimine-induced pigmentation is reversible but takes months to years to clear after stopping the drug.
Corresponding author
Ashwin Karnan, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, Maharashtra, India (ashwin2700@gmail.com)


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