BACKGROUND: Blue-gray pigmentation of the skin can be elicited by several medications. We report the first case (to our knowledge) of desipramine-induced photosensitive blue-gray pigmentation. OBSERVATIONS: Diffuse blue-gray pigmentation on sun-exposed surfaces was noted in a healthy 48-year-old woman who had been taking desipramine hydrochloride for 8 years. Ultrastructural studies demonstrated the presence of melanin and homogeneous electron-dense material in the dermis. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that tricyclic antidepressant agents represent another class of medications responsible for blue-gray cutaneous pigmentation.
BACKGROUND: Blue-gray pigmentation of the skin can be elicited by several medications. We report the first case (to our knowledge) of desipramine-induced photosensitive blue-gray pigmentation. OBSERVATIONS: Diffuse blue-gray pigmentation on sun-exposed surfaces was noted in a healthy 48-year-old woman who had been taking desipramine hydrochloride for 8 years. Ultrastructural studies demonstrated the presence of melanin and homogeneous electron-dense material in the dermis. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that tricyclic antidepressant agents represent another class of medications responsible for blue-gray cutaneous pigmentation.