olanzapine and Exanthema

BACKGROUND Different medication classes have been implicated in cutaneous eruptions that may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. In drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, the patient may initially present with a cutaneous eruption and hematologic abnormalities which can lead to acute visceral organ involvement if the offending drug is not discontinued. There is also a potential for long-term sequelae such as autoimmune disorders. CASE REPORT A 47-year-old woman with an unknown past medical history and no known drug allergies was admitted to the Behavioral Health Unit, where she was diagnosed with disorganized schizophrenia and started on olanzapine. On day 17 of admission, she developed a diffuse, macular, and erythematous rash on her abdomen, which spread to involve over 50% of her total body surface area. Occipital and posterior auricular lymphadenopathy was present. The patient was treated with prednisone and diphenhydramine. Olanzapine was subsequently discontinued and the patient's rash cleared up. CONCLUSIONS This case report highlights the challenges in diagnosing DRESS syndrome and the potential for antipsychotics to cause DRESS syndrome. DRESS syndrome is a clinical diagnosis augmented by laboratory tests with a wide range of patient presentations. Although there are probability criteria to assist with diagnosis, not all patients will fall exactly into these criteria, which can lead to missed diagnoses and poor patient outcomes. A challenge with DRESS syndrome diagnosis is the latency period between drug initiation and cutaneous eruption. Thus, in differential diagnoses for skin eruptions, temporal associations (minutes, days, weeks) with medications are crucial.

Topics: Disease Progression; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome; Eosinophilia; Exanthema; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Olanzapine

The aim of the present study was to survey adverse drug events (ADEs) in patients with bipolar disorders and identify risk factors using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database, a spontaneous reporting system. Data on patients with bipolar disorders were extracted from the JADER database. The Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) preferred terms (PT) and standardized MedDRA queries (SMQ) were used to define ADEs. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for ADEs. A total of 8653 reports of 1108 types of ADEs (PT) were registered in data collected on 3521 patients with bipolar disorders. Rash (PT) was the most frequently reported in 549 patients, followed by drug eruption (PT) in 387, fever (PT) in 364, toxicity to various agents (PT) in 291, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (PT) in 261. Among 24 ADEs (PT) that were reported in more than 50 patients, lamotrigine was associated with increased risks of 13 ADEs (PT), followed by carbamazepine with increased risks of 8 ADEs (PT). The majority of these ADEs belonged to hypersensitivity (SMQ) or hepatic disorder (SMQ). Lithium carbonate was associated with increased risks of rash (PT), drug interaction (PT), and tubulointerstitial diseases (SMQ). All antipsychotics increased the adjusted odds ratio for neuroleptic malignant syndrome (PT). The risk of hyperglycemia/new onset diabetes mellitus (SMQ) was increased by olanzapine, quetiapine fumarate, and risperidone. We are presenting the profiles of ADEs in patients with bipolar disorders using the JADER database, and propose risk factors for 19 ADEs (PT) and 4 ADEs (SMQ).

Topics: Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Antipsychotic Agents; Bipolar Disorder; Carbamazepine; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Exanthema; Humans; Japan; Lamotrigine; Lithium Carbonate; Olanzapine; Quetiapine Fumarate; Risperidone

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Antipsychotic Agents; Arthritis, Juvenile; Benzodiazepines; Delayed-Action Preparations; Exanthema; Humans; Male; Olanzapine; Psychotic Disorders

The case of a 56 years old man is presented, who developed acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis 5 days after the introduction of olanzapine 10 mg. Multiple 1-mm pustules appeared on the whole body, concentrated especially on her neck and face. Within 2 days, the eruption was increasingly accompanied by erythema and pruritus. No fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, arthralgias or myalgias were recorded. The diagnosis was corroborated by hystopathology. After 7 days of treatment, olanzapine and valproate were stopped. Concomitantly, cetirizine 20 mg p.o. and methylprednisolone 500 mg i.v. were given once. During the following week betamethasone cream was applied, and the pustular eruption resolved completely.

Topics: Acute Disease; Antipsychotic Agents; Benzodiazepines; Drug Eruptions; Exanthema; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Olanzapine; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous