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[Drug eruptions caused by lithium salts].
Annales De Medecine Interne
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Lithium therapy can cause various skin reactions, known as toxidermia, including common issues like edema and rare, severe conditions such as acneiform eruptions and psoriasis. While some causes are understood, excessive lithium levels likely contribute to most skin complications.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Lithium is a widely used mood stabilizer with known systemic side effects.
- Toxidermia, or drug-induced skin reactions to lithium, has been recognized since 1968.
- Lithium carbonate (Teralithe) is the primary salt associated with these dermatoses.
Purpose:
- To review the literature on lithium-induced skin complications (toxidermia).
- To discuss the pathogenesis of these dermatoses.
- To highlight both common and rare, severe skin reactions associated with lithium therapy.
Summary:
- Lithium therapy is associated with a range of dermatoses, from minor issues like edema and pruritus to more severe conditions such as acneiform eruptions, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
- Allergic vasculitis and lithium-induced psoriasis have identifiable pathogenetic mechanisms.
- The exact cause of most lithium-related toxidermias remains unclear, though excessive drug tissue concentrations are suspected contributors.
Impact:
- Enhances understanding of the dermatological side effects of lithium treatment.
- Provides a basis for further research into the mechanisms of lithium toxidermia.
- Informs clinicians about the spectrum of skin reactions to anticipate and manage in patients on lithium therapy.