Report of a case of steroid-induced psychosis and inappropriate sexual behaviour in an adolescent

Pharmacopsychiatry. 2012 Mar;45(2):77-9. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1291234. Epub 2011 Nov 15.

Abstract

We present the case of an acute steroid-induced psychosis in a 17-year-old boy who presented with inappropriate sexual behaviour. Quetiapine treatment was initiated at an initial dosage of 300 mg/day. The dosage was increased to 900 mg/day on the fourth day of the treatment. The patient's symptoms began to improve in the second week and were resolved by the fourth week of quetiapine treatment. Steroid use may result in a psychosis, including inappropriate sexual behaviour. Clinicians should be very cautious while administering these drugs and should consider and monitor side effects carefully.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Dibenzothiazepines / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / adverse effects*
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / diagnosis
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / drug therapy*
  • Quetiapine Fumarate
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / chemically induced
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Dibenzothiazepines
  • Quetiapine Fumarate
  • Prednisolone