Fatal Pemphigus Vulgaris in a Patient Taking Piroxicam

To the Editor: Piroxicam (Feldene) is the newest commercially available nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug. We present a case of fatal pemphigus vulgaris coinciding with ingestion of piroxicam. A 73-year-old man was admitted with extensive erosions and blistering lesions on his face and body and in his mouth. He had begun taking 20 mg of piroxicam per day for hip pain. Approximately three days later he noticed the development of blisters on his face. He continued to take the drug for another 10 to 14 days before discontinuing it because of painful oral lesions. The only other medication used before admission was . . . No extract is available for articles shorter than 400 words.