Infantile generalized hypertrichosis caused by topical minoxidil.

Rare cases of hypertrichosis have been associated with topically applied minoxidil. We present the first reported case in the Brazilian literature of generalized hypertrichosis affecting a 5-year-old child, following use of minoxidil 5%, 20 drops a day, for hair loss. The laboratory investigation excluded hyperandrogenism and thyroid dysfunction. Topical minoxidil should be used with caution in children.

Infantile generalized hypertrichosis caused by topical minoxidil

Abstract Rare cases of hypertrichosis have been associated with topically applied minoxidil. We present the first reported case in the Brazilian literature of generalized hypertrichosis affecting a 5-year-old child, following use of minoxidil 5%, 20 drops a day, for hair loss. The laboratory investigation excluded hyperandrogenism and thyroid dysfunction. Topical minoxidil should be used with caution in children.

[Skin manifestations in adults with a liver allograft]. / Manifestaciones cutáneas en adultos con trasplante hepático del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile.

BACKGROUND: Skin manifestations after liver transplantation are increasing due to long term immunosuppressive therapy along with an increase in patient survival. Several studies have reported dermatologic complications following renal transplant, but few have studied dermatologic problems after liver transplantation. AIMS: To describe the different types of cutaneous lesions encountered in adults receiving a liver allograft. To evaluate the frequency of cutaneous manifestations of patients in the liver transplant waiting list. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty patients submitted to a liver transplant and 70 patients in the liver transplant waiting list were evaluated with a complete dermatological physical examination. RESULTS: Sixty one percent of patients with a liver allograft had at least one skin manifestation. Of these, 34% had superficial fungal infections, 31% had viral infections, 20% had cutaneous side effects due to immunosuppressive treatment, 10% had malignant lesions, 2% had bacterial infections and one patient had a graft versus host disease. Only 28% of patients in the liver transplant waiting list had dermatologic problems, and the vast majority were lesions linked to liver cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous infections were the most common skin problems in liver transplant patients. Although neoplastic lesions are the most commonly mentioned lesions in the literature, only a 10% of our liver transplant patients presented these type of lesions.

Manifestaciones cutáneas en adultos con trasplante hepático del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile / Skin manifestations in adults with a liver allograft

Background: Skin manifestations after liver transplantation are increasing due to long term immunosuppressive therapy along with an increase in patient survival. Several studies have reported dermatologic complications following renal transplant, but few have studied dermatologic problems after liver transplantation. Aims: To describe the different types of cutaneous lesions encountered in adults receiving a liver allograft. To evaluate the frequency of cutaneous manifestations of patients in the liver transplant waiting list. Material and Methods: Eighty patients submitted to a liver transplant and 70 patients in the liver transplant waiting list were evaluated with a complete dermatological physical examination. Results: Sixty one percent of patients with a liver allograft had at least one skin manifestation. Of these, 34% had superficial fungal infections, 31% had viral infections, 20% had cutaneous side effects due to immunosuppressive treatment, 10% had malignant lesions, 2% had bacterial infections and one patient had a graft versus host disease. Only 28% of patients in the liver transplant waiting list had dermatologic problems, and the vast majority were lesions linked to liver cirrhosis. Conclusions: Cutaneous infections were the most common skin problems in liver transplant patients. Although neoplastic lesions are the most commonly mentioned lesions in the literature, only a 10% of our liver transplant patients presented these type of lesions.

Eyelash growth induced by topical prostaglandin analogues, bimatoprost, tafluprost, travoprost, and latanoprost in rabbits.

PURPOSE: Prostaglandin analogues (PGA) are ocular hypotensive agents used for the treatment of glaucoma. Hypertrichosis of the eyelashes has been reported in humans as a side effect. Eyelash growth was investigated with clinical trials in people using bimatoprost. Scattered reports of eyelash growth during the treatment of glaucoma with other PGA are also found in the literature. We investigated the effect of 4 different topical PGA on eyelash length. METHODS: Forty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 4 groups and received daily topical application of bimatoprost, tafluprost, travoprost, and latanoprost in the left eye for 4 weeks. The right eye received no treatment. Eyelash length was measured in both eyes before and after treatment using a stainless steel digital caliper. RESULTS: Bimatoprost and tafluprost groups had significant increases in eyelash length. We did not observe significant eyelash growth in rabbits receiving travoprost and latanoprost after 1 month of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Today, only bimatoprost is approved for growing eyelashes, and our research shows that tafluprost could be further explored by the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. Additional research using travoprost and latanoprost as agents for eyelash growth should be performed in the future using prolonged treatment periods to determine whether or not these PGA induce eyelash growth, and investigate other possible side effects.

Blefarite e tricomegalia induzidas pelo cetuximabe / Blepharitis and trichomegaly induced by cetuximab

Nós descrevemos uma mulher de 41 anos em tratamento de câncer colorretal avançado que, após a segunda dose de cetuximabe, desenvolveu intensa blefarite e tricomegalia bilateral. A toxicidade ocular decorrente do cetuximabe tem sido relatada, porém ainda tem mecanismos fisiopatogênicos incertos.

This report describes the case of a 41-year old woman in treatment for advanced colorectal cancer who developed severe bilateral blepharitis and trichomegaly after the second dose of cetuximab. Cetuximab-related eyelid toxicity has been described previously; however, its pathogenesis has not yet been clearly established.

Blepharitis and trichomegaly induced by cetuximab.

This report describes the case of a 41-year old woman in treatment for advanced colorectal cancer who developed severe bilateral blepharitis and trichomegaly after the second dose of cetuximab. Cetuximab-related eyelid toxicity has been described previously; however, its pathogenesis has not yet been clearly established.

Impact of cyclosporin A pharmacokinetics on the presence of side effects in pediatric renal transplantation.

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressant that has many side effects, including hypertrichosis, gingival hyperplasia, and tremor. To evaluate whether there is a relationship between the CsA-pharmacokinetics (PK) and these side effects, their presence and intensity were observed in 46 renal transplanted children/adolescents during two regular visits, and the occurrence of the side effects was correlated with CsA-PK. CsA doses had been unchanged for at least 6 mo. CsA blood concentrations were measured at time 0, and 1, 2, and 4 h after the CsA morning dose. An abbreviated area under the curve (AUC) was calculated using C0, C2, and C4. Hypertrichosis positively correlated with C2, C4, Cmax, and AUC. An AUC > or = 4158 ng/ml per h was the best predictor for the presence of hypertrichosis. Tremor was also positively correlated with C2, Cmax, and AUC. A Cmax > or = 878 ng/ml was the best predictor for the appearance of tremor. These values of Cmax and AUC are within the therapeutic range of CsA as demonstrated by the studies of calcineurin inhibition by CsA. Gingival hyperplasia was not associated with any of the CsA-PK studied parameters. However, it was associated with the concomitant use of nifedipine. These data show that there is a correlation between the CsA side effects and its pharmacokinetics and that it is possible to decrease the incidence and intensity of such side effects by monitoring the CsA-PK parameters, providing they are under or at the proposed cutoff levels. Nifedipine should also be avoided to reduce the presence of gingival hyperplasia.

Duty to warn about likely adverse effects - news

A 48-year-old West Indian woman with hypertension sued the district health authority and doctors at the district hospital for negligence in not warning her about adverse effects of minoxidil. The drug had led to excessive hair growth and darkening of the face, causing great distress and limiting her social life.(AU)

Rebound hypertension following minoxidil withdrawal.

Minoxidil, a potent peripheral vasodilator, was used concomitantly with other antihypertensive drugs for severe hypertension in three children for 47 to 158 weeks at the dosage of 40 to 50 mg/day. Two patients had three and two courses of minoxidil, respectively. Attempts were made to withdraw minoxidil in all children because of severe hypertrichosis. Minoxidil was withdrawn over periods varying from four to 12 weeks. Rebound hypertension manifesting as hypertensive encephalopathy occurred in all when minoxidil was withdrawn rapidly. The occurrence of rebound hypertension correlated with the total cumulative dose of minoxidil in mg/kg/week given prior to the withdrawal (P less than 0.05) and the rapidity (four to eight weeks) with which minoxidil was withdrawn (P less than 0.05), but not with the total duration of therapy, duration at maximal dosage, or the amount of minoxidil in mg/kg on the day prior to withdrawal. Rebound hypertension also did not occur when minoxidil was withdrawn gradually (12 weeks) or if the patient was receiving a small dose (2.5 to 5 mg/day). Pretreatment with an alpha-blocking agent (prazosin) or the discontinuation of the concomitantly administered beta-blocker (propranolol) prior to the withdrawal seemed to prevent rebound hypertension. We suggest that the dosage of minoxidil should be decreased very gradually.

Minoxidil-induced hypertrichosis: treatment with calcium thioglycolate depilatory

Minoxidil is a new, effective, investigational antihypertensive drug. A serious, cosmetic side effect in women is hypertrichosis. Five female patients with this complication had successful removal of the excessive hair with a calcium thioglycolate depilatory agent.

Hypertrichosis due to diazoxide

Two cases of hypertrichosis due to diazoxide are decribed. The mechanism is unknown but may be due either to increased cutaneous perusion or to increased levels of cyclic AMP.