Reactions 1453 - 25 May 2013

Olanzapine

Skin rash: case reportA 17-year-old boy experienced a skin rash while receiving

olanzapine.The boy started receiving oral olanzapine 15 mg/day, after

being diagnosed with schizophreniform disorder; his dosagewas increased to 20 mg/day after 5 days. After 21 days oftreatment, oral olanzapine was switched to long-actingolanzapine injection 300mg every 3 weeks. Eight days after hisfirst injection, he developed a rash which spread from hisshoulder over his entire dorsal trunk. Laboratory investigationsshowed elevated transaminase levels.

The boy received betamethasone and chlorphenamine andthe rash disappeared over the next 12 hours. His transaminaselevels normalised over 1 week. His diagnosis wassubsequently converted to schizophrenia; he continuedtreatment, with no other adverse events occurring in the3 months following his first injection. A Naranjo ProbabilityScale score of 7 indicated a probable association between thedrug and the reaction.

Author comment: "We report on a patient affected by[juvenile idiopathic arthritis] who developed an extensive skinrash after switching from oral olanzapine to [long actingolanzapine injection]. . . As it was a delayed reaction, wecannot rule out a late reaction to oral olanzapine."Solfanelli A, et al. Skin rash occurring with olanzapine pamoate, but not with oralolanzapine, in a male with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Journal of Child andAdolescent Psychopharmacology 23: 232-234, No. 3, Apr 2013. Available from:URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/cap.2012.0121 - Italy 803087280

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Reactions 25 May 2013 No. 14530114-9954/10/1453-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved