Cutaneous pigmentation related to intravenous iron extravasation: Analysis from the French pharmacovigilance database

Summary Introduction Intravenous iron infusion may be complicated by extravasation and lead to cutaneous pigmentation. Methods We queried the French pharmacovigilance database to assess the spontaneously reported cases over the 2000–2016 period. Results Fifty-one cases of cutaneous pigmentation related to intravenous iron extravasation were retrieved, none was associated to necrosis. Most of patients were women aged 20 to 49 years old. The pigmentation was mostly a brown coloration, persisting over one month in 19 cases (37.2%) and over 6 months in 9 cases (17.6%). The management of extravasation and pigmentation was heterogeneous and was rarely followed by a decrease of the coloration. Conclusion Cutaneous pigmentation after intravenous iron extravasation can persist over time and create an aesthetic prejudice, particularly in young women. Standardized extravasation and iron-induced pigmentation management procedures appear necessary.