Minocycline-induced cutaneous pigmentation is an adverse effect that may be more common than is generally realized. It is usually reported in patients undergoing chronic minocycline therapy for acne vulgaris.
The case of a 69-year-old woman taking minocycline for rheumatoid arthritis is presented, and its differential diagnosis discussed in order to characterize the clinical features of minocycline-induced cutaneous pigmentation.
Patients undergoing minocycline therapy for rheumatoid arthritis may develop bluish-grey pigmentation over the legs and forearms. Cutaneous pigmentation is a well recognized adverse effect of minocycline therapy that is usually reported in young patients on chronic therapy for acne vulgaris. However, the antiinflammatory properties of minocycline have also made it useful in the management of various inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.1 We report the case of a 69-year-old woman who developed progressive cutaneous pigmentation, affecting mainly the legs, approximately 3 months after beginning minocycline therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.