title: Resolution of chlorpromazine-induced cutaneous pigmentation following substitution with levomepromazine or other neuroleptics.
abstract: Eleven chronic schizophrenic patients with abnormal skin pigmentation associated with neuroleptic treatment were withdrawn from chlorpromazine (CPZ), which was replaced by levomepromazine (n = 4), trifluoperazine (n = 1) or thioproperazine (n = 1) as the sole neuroleptic, by a combination of these phenothiazines (n = 4) or with haloperidol plus pipotiazine (n = 1). Seven patients showed complete resolution of abnormal skin pigmentation over a period of 1-5 years and 4 markedly improved over 2.0-2.6 years of follow-up. Our observations suggest that neuroleptic-induced abnormal skin pigmentation is (i) predominantly, if not exclusively, a side effect of CPZ and (ii) reversible, providing that CPZ is withdrawn and sufficient time is allowed to elapse.
authors.affiliation: Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Verdun, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bloom
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: J X
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Thavundayil
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008728:Methotrimeprazine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008728:Methotrimeprazine; D002746:Chlorpromazine