Chloroquine’s Phototoxicity

A 64-year old Caucasian woman with early rheumatoid arthritis was referred to rheumatologist. She was treated for arterial hypertension with enalapril 10mg/day. She had been smoking 20 cigarettes /day for 44 years. The treatment was started with chloroquine (250mg/day) and methylprednisolone (4mg/day). One week after treatment initiation she came to the clinic with skin redness, edema and blisters on the face. She reported smoking on sunny balcony and skin changes appeared on the first day of treatment. Chloroquine was withdrawn and blisters healed leaving slight discoloration. Chloroquine’s phototoxicity was diagnosed. Phototoxicity is the result of cellular damage caused by a nonimmunological inflammatory mechanism resulting from the chemical or pharmacological structure of used drugs.

Conclusion: The use of chloroquine requires sunshine avoidance.