Leflunomide-Induced Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa is an inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit with a chronic intermittent course and a devastating effect on quality of life. Rare reports of drug-induced hidradenitis suppurativa exist. We report on 2 women on follow-up for rheumatoid arthritis, who presented hidradenitis suppurativa after different periods of treatment with leflunomide and who improved few weeks after discontinuation of the medication.

Hidradenitis suppurativa: an up-to-date review of clinical features, pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches

“…Drug-associated HS is rare, but has been reported following lithium, sirolimus, leflunomide, cyclosporin and certain formulations of the oral contraceptive pill 43,44 . However, a systematic review by Frew et al ( 2018) noted the presence of alternative explanations in many cases of purported drugassociated HS 43 .…”

Safety of Newer Disease Modifying Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis

“…Experience with medications with a similar mechanism of action or a pro-drug also allows anticipating the safety profile of a new molecule. For instance, long-term experience with leflunomide, a prodrug of teriflunomide used in rheumatoid arthritis since 1998, is reassuring except some concerns on dermatological complications (reversible alopecia areata, hidradenitis suppurativa, accelerated nodulosis, and toxic epidermal necrolysis) [ 172 , 173 , 174 , 175 ]; a case of colitis with enterocutaneous fistula in a severely immunocompromised patient with concomitant renal transplant, hepatitis E infection in endemic regions, and lymphadenitis and pulmonary infection by Mycobacterium Paraffinicum in a patient cotreated with methotrexate [ 176 , 177 , 178 ].…”