When the Vitamin of Psychiatry Becomes the Cause of Misery: A Case Report on Clonazepam-Induced Hypersensitivity Reaction

Abstract

Clonazepam is the most widely prescribed anxiolytic in psychiatry, which is well tolerated and is rarely associated with cutaneous adverse drug reactions. This is a case of a 31-year-old male businessman diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), who later developed skin lesions after oral consumption of clonazepam. Dermatological consultation was sought, and the patient was diagnosed with a case of clonazepam-induced hypersensitivity reaction, corroborated by the blood investigations, oral drug challenge test, and the histopathological skin biopsy report. The patient was managed with corticosteroids, anxiolytic drugs other than clonazepam, and a supportive approach. This is a unique case of a hypersensitivity reaction due to clonazepam, which will be helpful for future research and clinical practice.