1. Life-threatening hypokalaemia associated with ibuprofen-induced renal tubular acidosis.
- Author
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Ng JL, Morgan DJ, Loh NK, Gan SK, Coleman PL, Ong GS, and Prentice D
- Subjects
- Adult, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal administration & dosage, Critical Illness therapy, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Administration Schedule, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Ibuprofen therapeutic use, Male, Middle Aged, Muscle Weakness chemically induced, Risk Assessment, Sampling Studies, Acidosis, Renal Tubular chemically induced, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal adverse effects, Hypokalemia chemically induced, Ibuprofen adverse effects
- Abstract
Renal tubular acidosis is an underreported complication of ibuprofen misuse, and can result in life-threatening hypokalaemia. We describe four patients who presented with profound hypokalaemia and muscle weakness associated with excessive ibuprofen ingestion. Ibuprofen cessation and supportive management resulted in complete biochemical resolution within a few days. These cases remind practitioners about potential complications of unmonitored use of over-the-counter analgesics, including those with potential for misuse due to their codeine content.
- Published
- 2011
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