Adverse cutaneous reactions to psychotropic drugs

Psychotherapeutic agents have been in widespread use since the mid-1950's. Antipsychotic drugs, mood stabilizing drugs, antidepressants and antianxiety agents account for about 20% of all prescriptions written in the United States. These drugs frequently cause adverse side effects, especially anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, constipation, sedation and postural hypotension. Among the common side-effects are those involving the skin; it is estimated that skin reactions to psychotropic drugs are twice as frequent as those caused by most other drugs.