Acute ascending muscle weakness secondary to medication-induced hyperkalemia. 2014

Lauren A Kimmons, and Justin B Usery
University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy and Department of Pharmacy, Methodist University Hospital, 1265 Union Avenue, Thomas Ground-Pharmacy Administration, Memphis, TN 38104, USA.

Secondary hyperkalemic paralysis is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening consequence of drug-induced disease. We report a case of a 53-year-old female with history of chronic kidney disease presenting to the emergency department with a one-day history of upper and lower extremity weakness and paresthesias. Serum potassium concentration on admission was greater than 8 mEq/L, and serum creatinine was elevated above baseline. Electrocardiogram showed first-degree atrioventricular block with peaked T waves. The patient reported compliance with daily lisinopril 10 mg, spironolactone 25 mg, and 40 mEq twice daily of potassium chloride. Symptoms and electrocardiogram returned to baseline within 24 hours of presentation and serum potassium returned to 4.2 mEq/L at approximately 36 hours without the need for dialysis. This case emphasizes the importance of including such a condition in the differential diagnosis of patients with ascending paralysis and the importance of close monitoring of patients placed on potassium-elevating agents.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Lauren A Kimmons, and Justin B Usery
January 2018, Case reports in neurological medicine,
Lauren A Kimmons, and Justin B Usery
June 2004, The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India,
Lauren A Kimmons, and Justin B Usery
January 2004, Clinical drug investigation,
Lauren A Kimmons, and Justin B Usery
July 2004, Praxis,
Lauren A Kimmons, and Justin B Usery
January 2012, Renal failure,
Lauren A Kimmons, and Justin B Usery
November 1998, The Netherlands journal of medicine,
Lauren A Kimmons, and Justin B Usery
May 1977, Archives of neurology,
Lauren A Kimmons, and Justin B Usery
November 1974, Archives of neurology,
Lauren A Kimmons, and Justin B Usery
September 2003, International journal of cardiology,
Lauren A Kimmons, and Justin B Usery
September 2013, Revista de neurologia,
Copied contents to your clipboard!