Multifocal fixed drug eruption due to celecoxib

Multifocal fixed drug eruption (MFDE) is a rare cutaneous disorder characterized by numerous lesions relapsing on multiple sites each time the causative drug or a chemically related drug is taken. A case of this drug reaction in a 61-year-old nonatopic woman treated with celecoxib for cervical pain caused by osteoarthritis is reported. The causative role of celecoxib was documented by positive patch test reaction. To our knowledge, this is the first case of MFDE caused by celecoxib reported in literature. Celecoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) belonging to the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, is a diaryl-substituted pyrazole derivative containing a sulfonamide substituent. Celecoxib is well tolerated in patients suffering from NSAIDs reactions, but it should be avoided in subjects with “sulfa” allergy. However, the results of our skin test showed that the drug may be well tolerated by patients sensitized to sulfonamides belonging to the aromatic amines group (sulfonamide antimicrobials) which have a –NH2 group at the N4 position of the benzene ring.