Case of Linagliptin-Induced Bullous Pemphigoid

Abstract

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering condition in which autoantibodies target components of the hemidesmosomal proteins. It typically presents as pruritic bullous lesions in a generalized distribution. Certain drugs such as diuretics, NSAIDs, antibiotics, and ACE inhibitors have been implicated in the development of bullous pemphigoid. Recently, a class of medications for type II diabetes, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (commonly called gliptins) have been implicated in drug-induced bullous pemphigoid. We report a case of a 73-year-old female with type II diabetes mellitus who presented with biopsy-proven bullous pemphigoid after being treated with linagliptin. After discontinuing linagliptin and receiving first-line treatment, the patient achieved remission by her five-week follow-up. It is imperative that dermatologists and primary care physicians remain aware of this association when diagnosing and treating bullous pemphigoid, particularly in diabetic patients.