trimethoprim--sulfamethoxazole-drug-combination and Hyponatremia

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) causes hyperkalemia, and hyponatremia caused by TMP/SMX is a challenge for clinicians. We described the clinical features of hyponatremia induced by TMP/SMX after collecting cases.. The median age of the 24 patients (10 males and 14 females) was 67 years (range: 28-90 years). Hyponatremia induced by TMP/SMX manifested as nausea (41.7%) and vomiting (29.2%) or asymptomatic hyponatremia (20.8%). The median duration of hyponatremia was 5 days (range: 3-10 days). The median serum sodium concentration was 118 mmol/L (range: 101-128.1 mmol/L). The serum sodium levels gradually returned to the normal range at 4 days (median; range: 2-14 days) after withdrawing TMP/SMX.. TMP/SMX-induced hyponatremia is a rare and serious adverse reaction. Clinicians should be aware of electrolyte disturbances caused by TMP/SMX and should always consider electrolyte monitoring.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Electrolytes; Female; Humans; Hyperkalemia; Hyponatremia; Male; Middle Aged; Sodium; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Acne vulgaris is the most common skin condition in late adolescence and frequently requires systemic treatment with antibiotics or androgen receptor blockers in moderateto-\ severe cases.. We report the case of a 17-year-old adolescent female with new onset fever, headache, and pruritic rash 1 month after she started doxycycline and spironolactone for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Later, she developed eosinophilia and transaminitis. Infectious workup was negative.. This presentation was consistent with a definite case of drug reaction with eosinophilia\ and systemic symptoms (DRESS). DRESS is a severe, systemic hypersensitivity drug reaction that typically occurs 2 to 8 weeks following exposure to the offending medication.. Although doxycycline and spironolactone are uncommon triggers of DRESS, they\ are common medications used to treat acne, and clinicians should be aware of this potential complication when counseling patients, especially adolescents.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Aged; Diuretics; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome; Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Sodium; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) use in immunocompromised patients can cause dose-dependent electrolyte irregularities including hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and metabolic acidosis. We report a case of isolated hyponatremia caused by low-dose TMP-SMX use in an immunocompetent patient that mimicked the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).. A 72-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for acute onset of weakness and ambulatory dysfunction after starting TMP-SMX (160 mg/800 mg). She was found hyponatremic (sodium level, 125 mmol/L, down from 141 mmol/L prior to medication initiation). After ruling out diuretics use, and adrenal and thyroid dysfunction, we started her on intravenous saline infusion to manage her TMP-SMX-induced hyponatremia, and her symptoms resolved.. Electrolyte problems in immunocompromised patients treated for opportunistic infections with high-dose TMP-SMX (≥ 8 mg/kg/d TMP) are well-documented. However, the effects in immunocompetent patients are uncommon when standard dose (< 8 mg/kg/d TMP) is used.. TMP-SMX blocks the aldosterone-mediated sodium reabsorption in the collecting ducts, and the trimethoprim component itself is structurally similar to potassium-sparing diuretics, which block sodium uptake at the distal nephron-both of which can cause hyponatremia.

Topics: Aged; Diuretics; Female; Humans; Hyperkalemia; Hyponatremia; Sodium; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

A 62 year old male non-smoker diagnosed with pulmonary nocardiosis was initiated on Cotrimoxazole therapy at a dose of 20 mg/kg per day in three divided doses. He developed hyponatremia (serum sodium 105 mEq/L) on day 3 of therapy. The potential causes of hyponatremia were evaluated. After ruling out other causes, the cause was suspected to be Cotrimoxazole-induced syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). We subsequently re-initiated therapy with Cotrimoxazole and the hyponatremia (serum sodium 110 mEq/L) recurred. Upon discontinuation of therapy, serum sodium levels returned to normal. The patient was started on Amoxycillin-Clavulanic Acid as an alternative therapy for pulmonary nocardiosis which resulted in resolution of the hyponatremia. Cotrimoxazole-induced SIADH is a rare occurrence. This case is representative of a patient with Cotrimoxazole-induced SIADH and the causal relationship was confirmed once resumption of therapy with the offending medi-cation resulted in hyponatremia. Clinicians should be aware of this rare adverse effect of Cotrimoxazole and should monitor serum electrolytes during therapy, especially in the elderly and in those receiving high doses.

Topics: Humans; Hyponatremia; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome; Male; Middle Aged; Nocardia Infections; Sodium; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Hyponatremia occurs frequently in the hospital setting and may be attributable to a host of etiologies. Drugs are frequently implicated. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) represents a well-recognized pharmacologic precipitant of drug-induced hyponatremia, with several reports extant in the retrievable literature. Nephrologists thus debate the mechanisms giving rise to TMP/SMX-induced hyponatremia and the precise mechanism by which treatment with TMP/SMX generates reductions of serum sodium concentration remain controversial. The agent has a well-known effect of antagonizing the effects of aldosterone upon the distal nephron. Renal salt wasting and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion represent implicated mechanistic intermediaries in TMP/SMX-induced hyponatremia.. The patient endorsed no explicit concerns.. We describe the case of an 83-year-old female clinically diagnosed with pneumonia found to have an initial serum sodium in the range of 130 to 134 mEq/L consistent with mild hyponatremia upon admission. Sputum cultures grew Achromobacter xylosoxidans susceptible to TMP/SMX. The patient's serum sodium concentration precipitously decline following institution of treatment with TMP/SMX to 112 to 114 mEq/L during the course of 5 days.. Severe hyponatremia proved recalcitrant to initial therapy with supplemental salt tabs and standard doses of the vasopressin receptor antagonist tolvaptan.. Escalating doses of tolvaptan increased the patient's sodium to 120 to 124 mEq/L. The patient was transferred to another hospital for further management. During her stay, the patient did not exhibit frank or obvious clinical features consistent with hyponatremia nor readily appreciable evidence of volume depletion.. TMP/SMX represents a frequent, though underreported cause of hyponatremia in the hospital setting several authors believe natriuresis may represent the most common mechanism underlying TMP/SMX-induced hyponatremia. Evidence implicating natriuresis to be mechanistic in TMP/SMX-induced hyponatremia include clinically appreciable hypovolemia and resolution of hyponatremia with oral or intravenous salt repletion. Salt repletion failed to monotherapeutically enhance our patient's hyponatremiadisfavoring renal salt wasting as originately mechanistic. Contemporaneous refractoriness of serum sodium to fluid restriction nor standard doses of tolvaptan confounded our initial attempts to mechanistically attribute the patient's hyponatremia to a specific cause. Clinical euvolemia and rapid response of hyponatremia to exceptionally high doses of tolvaptan strongly favors syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone to represent the chief mechanism by which TMP/SMX exacerbates hyponatremia.

Topics: Achromobacter denitrificans; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Humans; Hyponatremia; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) is a bactericidalantibiotic. The most common adverse effect of TMP/SMX is skinrashes and gastrointestinal symptoms. Although hyperkalemia canoccur with TMP/SMX component but hyponatremia is uncommon. A55- year old woman, known case of rheumatoid arthritis, presentedwith fever and mild dyspnea. According to diagnostic work upthe infection with pneumocystis jirovecii was confirmed. TMP/SMX was started but after 10 days the patient acutely representedwith nausea and became lethargic. The laboratory studies showedmoderate hyperkalemia and severe hyponatremia. TMP/SMX wasstopped and alternative treatment started. Upon discontinuation ofthe drug, serum sodium and potassium levels were both changed tonormal. Hyponatremia as a life threatening adverse effect appearsto be rare with TMP-SMX therapy, but clinicians should be awareof electrolyte disturbances developed with this drug and electrolytemonitoring should always be considered.

Topics: Female; Humans; Hyperkalemia; Hyponatremia; Middle Aged; Pneumocystis carinii; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is a commonly prescribed antibiotic used at high doses for treatment of pneumocystis pneumonia and other infections. Trimethoprim is structurally related to the potassium-sparing diuretic amiloride and has been associated with hyperkalemia and hyponatremia through blocking of epithelial sodium channels in the distal nephron. The incidence of hyponatremia in hospitalized patients treated with high-dose TMP-SMX is unknown.. Analysis was restricted to 76 unique patients who received more than 8 mg/kg/d of TMP for ≥3 days. Mean starting serum sodium at time of TMP-SMX initiation was 138.4 ± 2.1 mEq/L. Fifty-five patients (72.3%) developed hyponatremia while on therapy, of which 43.6% (n = 24) were cases of serum sodium <130 mEq/L. Mean sodium at the time of nadir was 131.6 ± 5.1 mEq/L. Hyponatremia was noted, on average, 5.5 days after initiation of therapy, with more severe hyponatremia development among African American patients. Urine sodium concentrations were available for 40.0% (22/55) of incident hyponatremia cases, with mean urinary sodium of 104.8 ± 55.9 mEq/L. Hyponatremia often resolved within 3 weeks of drug discontinuation.. There is a high incidence (72.3%) of hyponatremia associated with the use of high-dose TMP-SMX among hospitalized patients. This is an overlooked and potentially reversible cause of hyponatremia.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Incidence; Inpatients; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; New York City; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Retrospective Studies; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Nocardia is a genus of gram-positive Actinomycetes that are ubiquitous in decaying organic material, soil, and water. Some Nocardia species can infect humans, mainly by airborne transmission. Several reports describe disseminated infections, which are rare and mostly affect strongly immunocompromised patients because intact T-cell-mediated immunity is the major protective mechanism.. We report a case of disseminated pulmonary, cerebral, and cutaneous infection with Nocardia farcinica in a 66-year-old kidney transplant recipient treated with low-dose triple immunosuppression. The patient was initially admitted because of severe hyponatremia and pneumonia with radiologic signs of pleural effusion. The infectious agent was isolated when cutaneous lesions developed. Oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole treatment led to severe hyponatremia; therefore, long-term treatment with parenteral amikacin and minocycline was initiated. After 7 months of consistent intravenous treatment, the lesions completely resolved and treatment was stopped, against some expert suggestions. The patient had remained free of relapse at the time of writing.. Disseminated Nocardia infection in immunocompromised patients is a rare but life-threatening disease. Owing to its infrequency, the variety of clinical patterns, antimicrobial resistance, and often fatal complications of standardized therapy, the diagnosis and treatment of this infection remain challenging and protracted.

Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Aged; Brain Diseases; Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Immunocompromised Host; Immunosuppressive Agents; Kidney Transplantation; Male; Nocardia; Nocardia Infections; Opportunistic Infections; Pleural Effusion; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Postoperative Complications; Skin Diseases, Bacterial; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

The purpose of this study is to describe a case report of a patient experiencing hyponatremia from trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) upon initial use and subsequent rechallenge.. An 82-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with altered mental status thought to be due to complicated cystitis and was treated with TMP-SMX 160 mg/800 mg orally twice daily for 7 days. Her basic metabolic panel prior to initiation of TMP-SMX was within normal limits, with the exception of her serum sodium of 132 mmol/L (range 133-145 mmol/L). The day after completing her 7-day course of TMP-SMX therapy the patient was evaluated by her primary care provider and another basic metabolic panel revealed a reduction in the serum sodium to 121 mmol/L. The patient's serum sodium concentrations increased to baseline 7 days after completion of the TMP-SMX therapy, and remained normal until she was treated in the emergency department several months later for another presumed urinary tract infection. She was again started on TMP-SMX therapy empirically, and within several days her serum sodium concentrations decreased from 138 mmol/L to a low of 129 mmol/L. The TMP-SMX therapy was discontinued upon negative urine culture results and her serum sodium increased to 134 mmol/L upon discharge. Based upon the Naranjo probability scale score of 9, TMP-SMX was the probable cause of the patient's hyponatremia.. Our patient developed hyponatremia from TMP-SMX therapy upon initial use and rechallenge. Although hyponatremia appears to be rare with TMP-SMX therapy, providers should be aware of this potentially life-threatening adverse event.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; Urinary Tract Infections

Trimethoprim (TMP) is a commonly prescribed antibiotic with few adverse effects. However on rare occasions, TMP is associated with electrolyte disturbances. As seen in our three patients, TMP can be associated with symptomatic hyponatraemia which required hospitalization. In one of these patients, hyperkalaemia and type 4 renal tubular acidosis were also present. These electrolyte and acid-base disorders were corrected after discontinuation of TMP. A small number of patients with TMP-induced electrolyte imbalances have been reported in the English-language medical literature to date but mostly with the use of TMP in combination with sulfamethoxazole. In association with TMP use, hyperkalaemia has been more commonly reported than hyponatraemia. These changes in sodium and potassium balance are thought to be related to TMP inhibiting sodium ion influx via the epithelial sodium channel in the cortical collecting duct. The association between symptomatic hyponatraemia and TMP emphasizes the need to evaluate electrolytes in patients presenting with clinical change after commencing on this drug.

Topics: Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary; Female; Fever; Humans; Hyponatremia; Male; Pneumocystis carinii; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Saline Solution, Hypertonic; Sodium; Trimethoprim; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Humans; Hyponatremia; Jaundice; Male; Middle Aged; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

An 86-year-old Caucasian male developed hyponatremia while on trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) 80/400 mg, one tablet by mouth twice daily. Upon discontinuation of therapy, his serum sodium and symptoms improved. He was inadvertently rechallenged several months later with TMP-SMX and had similar symptoms and laboratory abnormalities. TMP-SMX-induced hyponatremia is a rare occurrence. Previous publications have most often reported this phenomenon in combination with hyperkalemia. However, this patient represents a case of TMP-SMX-induced hyponatremia independent of hyperkalemia and provides a rare opportunity to observe a challenge and rechallenge with the offending medication. Although the mechanism behind this adverse drug reaction remains unclear, a score of 7 on the Naranjo probability scale indicates a probable likelihood that TMP-SMX was the cause of the hyponatremia in this patient. This case demonstrates that TMP-SMX can result in the development of hyponatremia independent of hyperkalemia. Health care providers should be aware of the potential for hyponatremia associated with TMP-SMX and consider monitoring electrolytes and renal function during therapy.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary; Humans; Hyponatremia; Male; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; Urinary Tract Infections

High-dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is known to cause hyperkalemia by blocking amiloride-sensitive sodium (Na) channels in distal nephrons. The purpose of this study was to establish whether the standard dose of TMP-SMX could cause electrolyte disorders.. Serum Na, potassium (K) and creatinine (Cr) levels were examined retrospectively in 53 of 77 patients prescribed TMP-SMX, before and after taking the antibiotic combination.. Electrolyte disorders (Na < 135 mEq/l and/or K > 5.0 mEq/l) were found in 14 of the 53 patients (26.4%) during TMP-SMX treatment. The average dose was 145.7 +/- 24.9 mg/day. The dose of TMP was significantly larger in patients with electrolyte disorders (267.7 +/- 84.2 mg vs. 101.9 +/- 9.38 mg, p = 0.0024). Electrolyte disorders were also seen in 9.1% and 22.2% of patients given the low dose (TMP < 80 mg) or standard dose (TMP 80-120 mg) of TMP-SMX, respectively. Electrolyte disorders were seen in 85.7% of patients with renal dysfunction (Cr > 1.2 mg/dl), compared with 17.5% of patients with normal renal function (p = 0.0008). Logistic regression analysis showed that the dose of TMP and the presence of renal dysfunction increased the incidence of electrolyte disorders with an odds ratio of 2.35 and 80.29, respectively.. Electrolyte disorders, particularly hyperkalemia and hyponatremia can be detected in patients given TMP-SMX. These disorders are more frequent in patients given high doses, but can also be detected after low-dose administration. Renal dysfunction accelerates the incidence of electrolyte disorders induced by TMP-SMX.

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Creatinine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; Hyperkalemia; Hyponatremia; Male; Middle Aged; Potassium; Retrospective Studies; Sodium; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Topics: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Anti-Infective Agents; Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Hyperkalemia; Hyponatremia; Middle Aged; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

An antimicrobial agent trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Tmp-Smx) does not usually cause electrolyte disturbances at regular doses, and few cases of Tmp-Smx-induced electrolyte imbalance have been reported in the English-language literature to date. Recently, however, we treated two patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia who developed severe hyponatremia and hyperkalemia on administration of high-dose Tmp-Smx. These electrolyte disturbances were attributable to the direct effect of Tmp-Smx on the renal distal tubules, were reversible, and corrected by infusion of a sodium-enriched and potassium-free liquid. Therefore, it is suggested that even after electrolyte disturbances have occurred, high-dose Tmp-Smx therapy may be continued for severe infectious diseases under appropriate electrolyte correction.

Topics: Humans; Hyperkalemia; Hyponatremia; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Hyperkalaemia with renal tubular dysfunction by oral therapy of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (co-trimoxazole) is described in 2 elderly Japanese patients with lymphoid malignancy, who developed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and improved. A high dose of cotrimoxazole induced hyperkalaemia with the elevation of serum creatinine and blood urea, and increased urinary N-acetyl glucosaminase after several days of the drug administration in these patients; one patient became unconscious. Discontinuation of co-trimoxazole normalized serum potassium level and symptoms. A repeated low dose of the drug induced hyperkalaemia. Before the treatment of co-trixomazole, their serum levels of creatinine showed upper limits of normal ranges. In the present study, our cases suggested that patients receiving a high dose of co-trimoxazole should be evaluated for these potential complications during a course of treatment, particularly in elderly patients with preexisting renal dysfunction.

Topics: Aged; Humans; Hyperkalemia; Hyponatremia; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Tubules; Leukemia, T-Cell; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Topics: Adult; Drug Combinations; Humans; Hyponatremia; Infusions, Parenteral; Male; Pharmaceutical Vehicles; Sulfamethoxazole; Trimethoprim; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination