Metoprolol induced oral lichen planus in an adult female patient - a case report

The prevalence of oral lichen planus (LP) in Indian population is 2.6% with more female predilection. LP is considered idiopathic but there are anecdotal reports of various medications like β-blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), methyldopa, penicillamine, quinidine, quinine and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.Metoprolol is rarely being reported to cause oral lichen planus despite its common usage. A 25 years old female patient developed bilateral oral lichen planus after administration of metoprolol, which was given for treatment of postpartum dilated cardiac myopathy with atrial fibrillation. Diltiazem was prescribed in place of metoprolol and patient was improved. Increased awareness of prescribers, close monitoring with immediate withdrawal of the culprit drug can reduce the complexity of management that occur due to development of such adverse drug reaction.