Adverse Cutaneous Effects of Psychotropic Medications

The 2013 review highlighted that psychotropic medications can cause a variety of skin reactions, ranging from benign to severe, including life-threatening conditions like toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. It was found that 8.4% of patients on psychotropic medications experienced dermatologic disorders, with a higher incidence in those on multiple drugs. Alopecia was noted as a side effect, particularly with mood stabilizers such as lithium and valproic acid, with hair loss typically reversing 2-18 months after stopping the medication. The review stressed the importance of monitoring patients closely for skin reactions, especially within the first two months of treatment, and called for more research to understand the incidence and mechanisms of these adverse reactions.