Adverse Cutaneous Reactions to Antidepressants

The document from 2002 reviews adverse cutaneous drug reactions (ACDRs) to antidepressants, which are common but generally benign and manageable. It details various skin reactions, including fixed drug eruptions, photosensitivity, pigmentary changes, alopecia, and severe reactions like erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Risk factors for ACDRs include female gender, older age, African-American ethnicity, polypharmacy, and serious illness. Management involves discontinuing the offending drug and symptomatic treatment, with dermatology consultation for severe cases. The review also notes a shift from tricyclic antidepressants to SSRIs due to fewer adverse reactions and emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment to maintain patient adherence to antidepressant therapy. Specific cases and studies are referenced, highlighting the need for healthcare provider awareness of potential dermatologic side effects, including drug-induced alopecia.