Muco-cutaneous retinoid-effects and facial erythema related to the novel triazole antifungal agent voriconazole

Voriconazole is a new azole antifungal drug with activity against a wide ra nge of systemic fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus spp. Five patients with chronic invasive aspergillosis were treated for 12-58 weeks with voric onazole, 200 mg twice daily and developed facial erythema and cheilitis. On e who received 58 weeks of therapy also developed discoid lupus erythematos us-like lesions on both sides of her neck. Both erythema and cheilitis reso lved after discontinuation of voriconazole. Serum retinoids were elevated i n the three patients in whom they were measured. Voriconazole has the poten tial for retinoid-like side-effects and facial erythema.