Penicillamine induced pemphigus.

Three cases of penicillamine induced pemphigus are described and compared to 35 previously reported cases with typical direct immunofluorescence. The incidence in our clinic was 0.57%. The penicillamine dose ranged from 250 to 1500 mg/day and the mean duration of treatment was 11 months at the onset of pemphigus in the 38 cases. Morphology and immunopathology was indistinguishable from spontaneously occurring pemphigus. The majority of cases resolved within 4 months after stopping, penicillamine; however, 8 cases, including 2 in this report, have persistent pemphigus.