What is known and objective: Black tongue syndrome (BT) is a rare and self-limiting disorder which can result from physiological and metabolic condition and ingestion of toxic substances. Medications are the most common cause of BT.
Case summary: A 39-year-old male patient presented with BT after the initiation of imipenem/cilastatin. Within one week of cessation of these drugs, the patient's tongue returned to a normal colour.
What is new and conclusion: This is the first case of BT induced by imipenem/cilastatin. Withdrawal of the combination is likely to reverse the condition.
Keywords: adverse drug reaction; adverse effect; black tongue; imipenem/cilastatin.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.