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The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
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Risankizumab-induced paradoxical pustular psoriasis
O McFeely1, E Pender1, L Victory1
1Department of Dermatology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|November 8, 2021
Summary
This case study reports a rare instance of paradoxical pustular psoriasis in a patient treated with risankizumab. This adverse event occurred despite no prior history of pustular psoriasis, highlighting a potential new side effect of the drug.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition affecting skin.
- Risankizumab is an interleukin-31 (IL-31) inhibitor used for treating moderate to severe psoriasis.
- Paradoxical reactions, including pustular psoriasis, can occur with biologic therapies.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old woman with a 22-year history of psoriasis presented with a sudden onset of pustular psoriasis.
- The patient was undergoing treatment with risankizumab for her psoriasis.
- The pustular psoriasis affected 60% of her body surface area.
Findings:
- This is the first reported case of paradoxical pustular psoriasis associated with risankizumab treatment.
- The patient had no prior history of pustular psoriasis, suggesting a drug-induced phenomenon.
- The development of pustular psoriasis occurred despite established psoriasis treatment.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be aware of the potential for risankizumab to induce paradoxical pustular psoriasis.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanism behind this reaction.
- This finding may necessitate monitoring for specific adverse events in patients treated with risankizumab.

