ADVERSE CUTANEOUS REACTIONS TO PSYCHOTROPIC-DRUGS

Psychotropic drugs are frequently used in both psychiatric and general medical practice. Familiarity with common side effects and their mana gement may assist psychiatrists in the selection of agents to suit ind ividual patient needs, The authors describe the morphologic features a nd pathologic basis of cutaneous reactions to drugs and discuss the co mmon and reported cutaneous side effects of psychotropic drugs, Althou gh most dermatologic reactions to drugs follow a benign course after d rug discontinuation, more serious effects are known to occur with cert ain agents. An overview of the diagnosis and management of these adver se drug reactions is provided.