Phenobarbital induced Pellagra

摘要

Background: Pellagra is a nutritional disorder due to an insufficiency in vitamin B3 also called vitamin PP for “pellagra preventing” vitamin. The disease was characterized by the “3D” consisting in dermatitis, dementia and diarrhea. The insufficiency can be due to drug use as anti epileptics. We describe a case of Phenobarbital-induced pellagra. Observation: We report here a 61 years old woman who developed pellagra after a 45 years use of Phenobarbital. The diagnosis was suspected by the association of dermatological, neurological and gastro intestinal signs. It was confirmed by the good response to the niacin treatment and Phenobarbital discontinuation. Conclusion: Pellagra should be considered in patients taking anti epileptic drugs because of its very good prognosis if treated and fatal issue if misdiagnosis.