Olanzapine associated peripheral edema: a case report

Abstract

Peripheral edema is most commonly associated with multiple medical etiologies and drugs including nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory, antihypertensives, steroids, and immunosuppresive agents. The atypical antipsychotic olanzapine is rarely related with peripheral edema. However relationship of olanzapine and edema remains as a hypothesis. In this case report a peripheral edema developing shortly after initiation of treatment in a patient with schizophrenia is reported and theoretical explanations of this phenomenon are discussed.