Urticarial vasculitis secondary to paroxetine

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Pharmacology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Selective serotonin reuptuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed antidepressants.
• Cutaneous adverse effects are known for SSRIs, but urticarial vasculitis is rare.
• Fluoxetine is the only SSRI previously documented to cause urticarial vasculitis.

Observation:

• This report details the first case of paroxetine-induced urticarial vasculitis.
• Urticarial vasculitis is characterized by recurrent, itchy, raised skin lesions.
• Histological examination reveals leukocytoclastic vasculitis in affected individuals.

Findings:

• Paroxetine, a widely used SSRI, can cause urticarial vasculitis.
• This finding expands the spectrum of known SSRI-induced cutaneous reactions.
• The case highlights a potential link between paroxetine and this specific vasculitic disorder.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider paroxetine as a potential cause of urticarial vasculitis.
• This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive drug review in managing cutaneous vasculitis.
• Further investigation into SSRI-associated vasculitis may be warranted.