Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis induced by amoxapine

Severe skin complications in patients treated with antidepressants: a literature review

Clinical manifestations of drug-induced skin reactions include a wide range of symptoms, from mild drug-induced exanthemas to dangerous and life-threatening generalized systematic reactions. Adverse drug reactions of low risk include phenomena such as drug-induced rashes, phototoxic reactions, eczemas and urticarias, which appear most often when the medication is being introduced. Drug-induced skin reactions to psychotropic medication are usually associated with antiepileptic drugs. However, a significant role can be assigned to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The aim of this paper is to review a spectrum of severe skin complications in patients treated with antidepressants with the indication of their clinical monitoring and management.

Photo-distributed neutrophilic drug eruption and adult respiratory distress syndrome associated with antidepressant therapy

Drug reactions are well-known complications of antidepressant therapy, often related to photosensitization. Herein is reported a singular case of antidepressant (amoxapine and citalopram) and anxiolytic related (perphenazine) photo-distributed neutrophilic dermatosis and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The clinicopathologic findings displayed overlapping features with drug-induced Sweet's syndrome, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), and so-called sterile neutrophilic folliculitis with perifollicular vasculopathy. Of the three medications, only amoxapine has been associated with AGEP. Treatment with high-dose systemic corticosteroids and cessation of drug therapy was followed by rapid resolution of the cutaneous eruption and respiratory distress. The possibility that neutrophil infiltration of the lung and/or accumulation of neutrophils in the skin and blood served as a source for reactive oxygen species, leading to lung injury and subsequent ARDS, is discussed.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)--a clinical reaction pattern

BACKGROUND

A wide range of diseases or reactions can cause pustular eruptions of the skin. In this spectrum there seems to be a subgroup with characteristic clinical features and a typical course which is mostly caused by drugs for which the term acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) has been established.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical features of AGEP.

METHODS

The authors' experience from a multinational epidemiological study on severe cutaneous adverse reactions and a comprehensive review of the literature were used to provide an overview of the disease and it's possible causes. An algorithm for validating cases which was established for this study is also presented.

RESULTS

AGEP typically presents with at least dozens of non follicular sterile pustules occurring on a diffuse, edematous erythema predominantly in the folds and/or on the face. Fever and elevated blood neutrophils are common. Histopathology typically shows spongiform subcorneal and/or intraepidermal pustules, a marked edema of the papillary dermis, and eventually vasculitis, eosinophils and/or focal necrosis of keratinocytes. Onset is acute, most often following drug intake, but viral infections can also trigger the disease. Pustules resolve spontaneously in less than 15 days.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis AGEP should be considered in cases of acute pustular rashes and detection of the causative drug should be strived for. Knowledge of the clinical features and usual course of this disease can often prevent unnecessary therapeutical measures.