Bullous Pemphigoid following Therapy with an Oral Beta-Blocker

A causal relationship is thought to exist between several medications and the development of bullous pemphigoid. Commonly implicated medications include furosemide, penicillins, and ibuprofen. The following is a case report of an elderly man who developed generalized bullous pemphigoid for the first time after beginning therapy with an oral betablocker. A literature search revealed only 2 other reports of beta-blocker associated bullous pemphigoid. As both bullous pemphigoid and beta-blockers are common in elderly patients, dermatologists may want to consider beta-blockers as potential etiological agents in the development of bullous pemphigoid.