Critical overview: adverse cutaneous reactions to psychotropic medications.
BACKGROUND
Adverse cutaneous reactions (ACRs) are common, potentially life-threatening or symptomatically and cosmetically unappealing side effects of psychotropic drugs.


METHODS
A MEDLINE search of the literature was employed to cite the association of various psychotropic drugs with specific cutaneous reactions.


RESULTS
In addition to the common exanthematous eruption, we explore several serious reactions including erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity syndrome, hypersensitivity vasculitis, erythroderma, and drug-induced lupus erythematosus. Other side effects such as alopecia, pigmentary disorders, photosensitivity, lichenoid lesions, fixed drug eruptions, and psoriasiform, acneiform, and seborrheic eruptions are discussed. Attention is paid to the morphology and distribution, systemic findings, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of ACRs will allow psychiatrists to deter their continuation or recurrence, educate patients who have them, and diagnose serious instances of them.
Kimyai-Asadi
A
A
Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA. akimyai@yahoo.com
Harris
J C
JC
Nousari
H C
HC
D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D000799:Angioedema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D003873:Dermatitis, Exfoliative / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004892:Erythema Multiforme / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D014581:Urticaria / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs