Open AccessMeropenem Induced Hypokalemia
Author(s) -
T V Anuhya,
Raviraja V Acharya,
Sharath MadhyasthaA,
Raghavendra Bhat,
Veeyak
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of clinical and diagnostic research
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2249-782X
pISSN - 0973-709X
DOI - 10.7860/jcdr/2017/27584.10387
Subject(s) - medicine , hypokalemia , hyporeflexia , rhabdomyolysis , ileus , vomiting , flaccid paralysis , anesthesia , hiccups , weakness , cellulitis , constipation , adverse effect , surgery , paralysis
Meropenam, a beta-lactam antibiotic has been used for severe infections of skin, tissue, intra- abdominal and urogenital infections in hospitalized patients. The common adverse effects reported are diarrhoea, vomiting, rashes and hypersensitivity reactions. Here we report two cases of meropenam induced hypokalemia, wherein, meropenam was prescribed for cellulitis and urinary tract infection in the first and second case respectively. Hypokalemia can manifest as muscular weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, ileus, flaccid paralysis, hyporeflexia, hypercapnia, tetany, rhabdomyolysis or respiratory failure. Hence, it is necessary to make physicians aware of such an adverse effect which can develop with meropenam.