Possible cross-sensitivity between sertraline and paroxetine in a panic disorder patient

Cross-sensitivity due to paroxetine and sertraline, the SSRIs, is rarely reported in the literature. We report an adverse drug reaction to paroxetine and sertraline in a patient of panic disorder, who initially developed a maculopapular, erythematous, pruritic rash in the third week with sertraline 50 mg/day. The rash resolved within 2 days of its discontinuation and oral supplementation of diphenhydramine and betamethasone. 10 days following discontinuation of sertraline, the patient was shifted on sustain release paroxetine 12.5 mg/day when another skin reaction with the same appearance and distribution appeared on day 4 of it, suggesting a possibility of cross-sensitivity, a drug class effect. This case report intends to improve the awareness among clinicians to use caution when choosing an alternative SSRIs.