Severe acne due to chronic amineptine overdose

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Toxicology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Amineptine, a tricyclic antidepressant, has been associated with various side effects.
• Severe acne is a common dermatological condition with multiple potential causes.

Observation:

• Six women presented with severe acne lesions, primarily on the face, back, and thorax.
• Lesion severity appeared correlated with high-dose, long-term amineptine use and overdose levels.
• Previous treatments, including isotretinoin, were ineffective in most cases.

Findings:

• Abnormal urinary 17-ketosteroid profiles and amineptine metabolites were detected in all patients.
• The extent of urinary abnormalities correlated with both overdose degree and clinical lesion severity.
• Discontinuation of amineptine led to lesion improvement in two of three patients.

Implications:

• Amineptine use, particularly at high doses, may induce severe acneiform eruptions.
• Monitoring urinary metabolites could aid in diagnosing drug-induced dermatological conditions.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanism of amineptine-induced acne.