drug-related vasculitis

Etiology

• antimicrobial agents
  • minocycline
  • sulfonamides
  • penicillins
• vaccines
• antithyroid agents:
  • propylthiouracil (80-90%)
  • less frequently methimazole, carbimazole, benzylthiouracil
• anticonvulsants: phenytoin
• antiarrhythmic agents & other cardiovascular drugs
  • diuretics, hydralzine
• anticoagulants
• antineoplastic agents
• diuretics: thiazides
• hematopoietic growth factors
• NSAIDs
• leukotriene inhibitors
• psychotropic drugs
• sympathomimetics
• allopurinol
• TNF-alpha inhibitors
• interferon alfa
• levamisole (associated with cocaine)
• gold*

* not listed in

Clinical manifestations

• predominantly cutaneous manifestations
  • palpable purpura most common form
    • generalized
    • limited to lower extremities & other dependent areas
  • urticaria, ulceration & hemorrhagic blisters less common
• systemic manifestations may occur
  • fever
  • malaise
  • polyarthralgias

Laboratory

• mild leukocytosis with or without eosinophilia
• elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

More general terms

• secondary vasculitis