Adverse cutaneous reactions associated with fluoxetine strategy for reintroduction of this drug in selected patients.

Four patients treated with fluoxetine alone developed generalized urticaria. One also suffered polyarthritis. These reactions subsided when fluoxetine was stopped. After 6-12 months, because of progressive psychiatric problems, fluoxetine was reintroduced using a desensitization protocol. In each case this was well tolerated, and fluoxetine has been continued without adverse affects for 3-10 months.