[Paranoid psychosis in acute intermittent porphyria treated with perphenazine]

Several drugs may induce or exacerbate symptoms in acute porphyria. This includes most psychotropic drugs, which makes the treatment of psychiatric symptoms in the porphyric patient difficult. A patient with a paranoid psychotic condition related to acute intermittent porphyria was treated with perphenazine. The use of this drug has not previously been reported in acute intermittent porphyria. Therefore, the treatment was closely monitored clinically and biochemically. No deterioration in the porphyric state was observed. However, further experience is needed before perphenazine may be considered as a drug that can be used safely in acute intermittent porphyria.