Drug-induced bullous pemphigoid: cases triggered by intravenous iodine and etanercept

Abstract

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is one of the most common acquired immunobullous diseases. Rarely, the development of BP is attributed to drug exposure. We present two cases of BP, one triggered by intravenous iodine, and one associated with etanercept treatment in a patient with psoriasis; the first time, to our knowledge, that either of these associations has been reported. The recognition of occasional cases of drug-induced BP such as ours, with timely cessation of the offending agent, may produce rapid clinical improvement with decreased exposure to potent immunosuppressive therapy.