Amlodipine associated hyperpigmentation

Abstract

Amlodipine is a potent peripheral and coronary vasodilator with high selectivity for vascular smooth muscle, and is widely used in mild to moderate hypertension, chronic stable angina and vasospastic angina. Its most prevalent side effects are peripheral edema, flushing and headache. Cutaneous adverse reactions associated with amlodipine have been rarely reported. Herein, a male patient is described to develop oral mucosal and cutaneous hyperpigmentation one year after starting amlodipine, which became more noticeable with time. Although cutaneous hyperpigmentation was most prominent on the photoexposed areas, there was no history of previous photosensitivity, pruritus or flushing. To our knowledge, no case of oral and cutaneous hyperpigmentation associated with amlodipine has been formally reported up to date.