Drug- and heavy metal--induced hyperpigmentation

Abstract

Several categories of chemical and pharmacologic agents can cause alterations in cutaneous pigmentation, although the mechanisms differ and in several instances may be unknown. Fixed drug eruptions appear to have alteration of the basement membrane zone with incontinence of epidermal pigment as the mechanism of hyperpigmentation. Heavy metals produce increased pigmentation in part from deposition of metal particles and in part from an increase in epidermal melanin production. The antimalarials may bind to melanin. The phenothiazines and minocycline produce pigmentation from deposition of the drug. The mechanism, site, and nature of the pigment occurring with antineoplastic agents is not well understood, but the location is most likely predominantly epidermal. Clofazimine (Lamprene) alteration in pigmentation appears to result from deposition of the drug in subcutaneous fat.