Olanzapine-induced vasculitis

Fatal pulmonary embolism in patients on antipsychotics: case series, systematic review and meta-analysis

Since the 1950 s, several studies have reported that patients using first generation and/or second-generation antipsychotics had increased risk of venous thromboembolism events. These events include deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism (PE). However, data about fatal PE in patients on antipsychotics (APs) remain scarce. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate sociodemographic, clinical and pharmacological characteristics related to psychiatric patients on APs and who died from a fatal PE. We reported a case-series, then conducted a literature review of relevant studies and performed a meta-analysis of studies with usable data. The main outcome of the study suggested a significantly high risk of fatal PE in patients using APs compared to nonusers (Odds Ratio=6.68, with 95% confidence interval 1.43-31.11). Clozapine was the most incriminated drug. Low potency first generation APs were the second most exhibited medication. Studies about the topic remain scarce with a high heterogeneity and a high probability of bias. Further studies are needed to ascertain this risk and to establish target preventive measures in this particularly vulnerable population.

Bipolar Patients and Bullous Pemphigoid after Risperidone Long-Acting Injectable: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

Neuropsychiatric disorders are found to be associated with bullous pemphigoid (BP), an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease. Antipsychotics have emerged as possible inducing factors of BP. However, large sample studies concerning BP associated with antipsychotics, as well as with specific mental disorders, are still lacking. Our review retrieved a few clinical studies and case reports on the topic, producing controversial results. We report for the first time a bipolar patient case presenting BP following five-month therapy with risperidone long-acting injectable (LAI). We hypothesize that the dermatological event is associated with the medication administered. The issue emerged during psychiatric consultation and was confirmed by histological examination, direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies, plus positive plasma and cutaneous BP180 and BP230 IgG. Neurodegeneration or neuroinflammation might represent a primary process leading to a cross-reactive immune response between neural and cutaneous antigens and contributing to self-tolerance failure. Furthermore, the time sequence of the shared biological mechanisms leading to clinical manifestations of the neuropsychiatric disorder and BP remains undefined. BP comorbid with bipolar disorder might occasionally represent a serious health risk and affect patients' physical and psychosocial quality of life. Thus, clinicians treating psychiatric patients should consider BP as a possible adverse effect of psychotropic medications.

Olanzapine-induced Skin Eruptions

Adverse cutaneous reactions are known to occur with psychotropic medications, which may lead to poor drug compliance. As compared to other group of psychotropics, there is relatively scarce literature on olanzapine-induced skin eruptions. We present a case of a 39-year-old man diagnosed with first episode mania and alcohol dependence syndrome who was started on tablet olanzapine which leads to fixed drug eruptions. Exhaustive investigations were done, all of which came out within normal limits. A diagnosis of fixed drug eruptions was made by the dermatologist. The skin eruptions subsided after stopping olanzapine. It has, thus, been emphasized that clinicians should be aware of the potential cutaneous eruptions associated with olanzapine. Early detection of the same would lead to timely management and hence better compliance with the psychotropic treatment.

[Informed Consent and the Approval by Ethics Committees of Studies Involving the Use of Atypical Antipsychotics in the Management of Delirium]

INTRODUCTION

Delirium is an acute alteration of consciousness and cognition. Atypical antipsychotics (AA) have recently become a main part of its treatment. Studies in this population generate a series of ethical dilemmas concerning the voluntary participation of patients and their state of vulnerability since their mental faculties are, by definition, compromised.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether studies with AA for the treatment of delirium obtained an approval by an ethics committee on human research (ECHR), if an informed consent (IC) was obtained, whether the IC was verbal or written, and who gave the approval to participate.

METHOD

Systematic review of Medline for studies of delirium where quetiapine and olanzapine were the main treatment, assessing the existence of an ECHR approval and implementation of an IC.

RESULTS

11 studies were identified (6 of quetiapine and 5 of olanzapine). 5 had an ECHR approval.

CONCLUSIONS

Most studies examining the treatment of delirium with quetiapine or olanzapine were not subject to approval by an ECHR and most of them did not obtain an IC from the patient's legal guardian. It is essential that future studies of antipsychotics and other drugs for the treatment of delirium have the protocol approved by an ECHR and a written IC signed by the patient's legal representative, since by definition delirium is a condition that compromises superior mental processes.

Olanzapine-induced eccrine squamous syringometaplasia

Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia is a histopathologic pattern that has mainly been described in patients receiving chemotherapy. Its association to nonchemotherapeutic agents is rare, with very few cases reported in the literature. We present the case of a 55-year-old patient with schizophrenia, who developed a skin eruption 5 weeks after initiating treatment with olanzapine. The histopathologic study revealed squamous syringometaplasia of the dermal eccrine ducts.

Mood stabilizer therapy and pravastatin: higher risk for adverse skin reactions?

We report on a serious side effect in a severely depressed 55-year-old woman, who presented an erythematous pigmented skin rash on the whole body under combination treatment with antidepressants, atypical antipsychotic drugs, the mood stabilizer lithium and the lipid-lowering drug pravastatin. The skin rash effect was most probably due, in first line, to olanzapine, but the cutaneous skin condition was triggered and aggravated by pravastatin, a 3-hydoxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A-(HMG-CoA)-reductase inhibitor, and lithium medication. The allergic reaction started to develop after co-administration of pravastatin. Therefore, the combination of atypical antipsychotics with statins should be carefully monitored and the benefits and disadvantages should be balanced.