112 cases of induced pemphigus were reviewed. The causative drugs were divided into three groups according to their chemical structure, and the clinical, prognostic and laboratory characteristics were analyzed and compared. Our literature screening indicates that the biological progress and clinical course of the disease depend upon the type of the inducing/triggering drug in the majority of patients. Patients with penicillamine-induced pemphigus or with pemphigus induced by SH drugs (drugs containing a sulfhydryl radical) showed spontaneous recovery in 39.4 and 52.6% respectively, once the drug was discontinued. Patients whose pemphigus was induced by other drugs showed spontaneous recovery in only 15% of the cases. These results indicate that in patients with pemphigus induced by penicillamine (or SH drugs), the drug plays a major role in the pathogenesis of the disease, as compared to patients with pemphigus induced by other drugs. It seems that penicillamine (and SH drugs) actually induces pemphigus in most of the cases, whereas other drugs only trigger the disease in patients with a previous predisposition.

Keywords:
Pemphigus, Penicillamine, Sulfhydryl drugs, Inducing drugs, Triggering drugs, Spontaneous recovery
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1991 S. Karger AG, Basel
1991
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.