Psoriasis during therapy with olanzapine.
The role of several drugs (lithium, betablockers, clonidine, digoxin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, interferon and tetracyclines) in inducing or exacerbating psoriasis is not completely understood. We report two cases of psoriasis in patients treated with olanzapine, a new drug used for psychotic disorders. In the first patient worsening of a pre-existing mild psoriasis occurred shortly after starting olanzapine treatment, followed by a relapse of the dermatological disease after a new administration of the anti-psychotic drug. In the second case we observed the onset of psoriasis during olanzapine treatment in an individual without any previous history of psoriasis but with a family history of the disease. Although the mechanism by which psoriasis may be induced or exacerbated by olanzapine remains unknown, these observations underline the need for caution and close follow-up in the pharmacological management of patients with psoriasis or a family history of the disease.
Latini
Alessandra
A
Dipartimento di Dermatologia Infiammatoria, Polo Dermatologico S. Gallicano (IRCCS) Via Elio Chianesi, 53, 00144 Rome, Italy.
Carducci
Massimo
M
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D000077152:Olanzapine