Drug-induced acanthosis nigricans: A systematic review and new classification

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#acanthosis-nigricans #biopsy #drug-eruptions #humans #neoplasm-recurrence-local

Drug-induced acanthosis nigricans: A systematic review and new classification

Mourad et al., 2021 | Dermatol Ther | Systematic Review

Citation

Mourad Ahmed I, Haber Richard M. Drug-induced acanthosis nigricans: A systematic review and new classification. Dermatol Ther. 2021-Mar;34(2):e14794. doi:10.1111/dth.14794

Abstract

Drug-induced acanthosis nigricans is an uncommon subtype of acanthosis nigricans and the data on this topic is not well understood by clinicians as it is presently limited in the literature. Previous reports of drug-induced acanthosis nigricans have simply consisted of a list of drugs possibly implicated in causing acanthosis nigricans. Several drugs listed are based on single case reports without biopsy confirmation, report of clearing on stopping the drug or reporting on whether acanthosis nigricans recurred with drug rechallenge. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE(Ovid), Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases. The authors screened the initial result of the search strategy by title and abstract using the following inclusion criteria: eligible studies included those with patients who developed acanthosis nigricans secondary to a drug. This study is the first to comprehensively review the drugs that have been implicated in the development of acanthosis nigricans. A total of 38 studies were included in the systematic review, and a total of 13 acanthosis nigricans inducing drugs were identified. Nicotinic acid and insulin were the two most significant drugs that were reported to cause acanthosis nigricans. By using the results of this study, we created a revised classification system of drug-induced acanthosis nigricans which can be used as a concise framework for clinicians to refer to.

Key Findings

By using the results of this study, we created a revised classification system of drug-induced acanthosis nigricans which can be used as a concise framework for clinicians to refer to.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 38
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Acanthosis Nigricans
  • Biopsy
  • Drug Eruptions
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: niacin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09