Skin Reactions Associated With Propranolol

Abstract

To the Editor.— Adverse oculocutaneous changes induced by orally given practolo were first described in 1974. 1 In view of these serious side effects, medical practitioners in Britain have been advised to treat practolol-sensitive patients with alternative β-blocking agents. The original authors endorse these views and have not observed any cross-reactivity between practolol and other β-blocking agents. 2 However, there have been reports of skin reactions associated with oxprenolol therapy. 3,4 Two of us (D.G.B. and R.C.) reported briefly a similar reaction in a patient who was receiving propranolol. 5 In this report, we elaborate on the cutaneous histologic characteristics of the same patient and compare the features with those reported in the eruption associated with practolol. Report of a Case.— A 63-year-old woman had a widespread scaly erythematous eruption. There was no previous history of any skin disorder. She had been treated for hypertension with propranolol, 40 mg given