Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis induced by paroxetine in an adolescent girl

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare severe cutaneous reaction pattern, which, in the majority of cases, occurs in adults (males and females are equally affected). AGEP has rarely been described in the paediatric population (1, 2). Viral illnesses, vaccinations (e.g. anti-pneumococcal vaccine) and drugs (up to 90% of cases) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AGEP (1, 2). Among drugs, the more commonly identified culprit agents are antibiotics (beta-lactams, macrolides, quinolones, pristinamycin, anti-infective sulphonamides), antimycotics (terbinafine, ketoconazole), calcium channel blockers (diltiazem), analgesics, antipyretics (paracetamol) and antimalarials (1). To date, however, the precise pathophysiological mechanism has not yet been identified and no report of AGEP caused by paroxetine, an antidepressant, has previously appeared in the English litterature.