Myoclonus associated with concomitant ciprofloxacin and oxycodone in an older patient

Three Cases of Myoclonus Secondary to Ciprofloxacin: "Ciproclonus"

OBJECTIVES

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone that is used for bacterial infections involving different systems. In some cases, ciprofloxacin was reported to induce myoclonus.

METHODS

We performed a chart review of 3 patients with myoclonus secondary to ciprofloxacin and reviewed the literature for similar cases. Written consent for publication was obtained from each patient, and their identities were concealed for ethical reasons.

RESULTS

We describe 3 cases of myoclonus secondary to ciprofloxacin, 2 males and a female aged 61, 26, and 48 years, respectively. The myoclonus appeared within 3 days of ciprofloxacin intake. In all 3 cases, ciprofloxacin was prescribed for urinary tract infection. Electroencephalogram and neuroimaging studies were normal and possible causes were excluded. Thus, ciprofloxacin was believed to be the underlying cause and hence it was withdrawn. The patients had complete recovery on follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Although ciprofloxacin is widely prescribed for different infections, only 13 cases were reported to develop myoclonus secondary to ciprofloxacin. The mean age of patients was 62 years. Fifty-four percent of cases were males. Cessation of ciprofloxacin was the most common management course. All individuals fully recovered after ciprofloxacin withdrawal. The mechanism of ciprofloxacin-induced myoclonus is probably associated with γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamate pathways.

Fluoroquinolone-Associated Movement Disorder: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Fluoroquinolones (FQNs) are related to several central nervous system side effects. This review aims to evaluate the clinical-epidemiological profile, pathophysiological mechanisms, and management of FQNs-associated movement disorders (MDs).

METHODS

Two reviewers identified and assessed relevant reports in six databases without language restriction between 1988 and 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 45 reports containing 51 cases who developed MDs secondary to FQNs were reported. The MDs included 25 myoclonus, 13 dyskinesias, 7 dystonias, 2 cerebellar syndromes, 1 ataxia, 1 tic, and 2 undefined cases. The FQNs reported were ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, gemifloxacin, and pefloxacin. The mean and median age were 64.54 (SD: 15.45) and 67 years (range: 25-87 years). The predominant sex was male (54.16%). The mean and median time of MD onset were 6.02 (SD: 10.87) and 3 days (range: 1-68 days). The mean and median recovery time after MD treatment was 5.71 (SD: 9.01) and 3 days (range: 1-56 days). A complete recovery was achieved within one week of drug withdrawal in 80.95% of the patients. Overall, 95.83% of the individuals fully recovered after management.

CONCLUSIONS

Future cases need to describe the long-term follow-up of the individuals. Additionally, FQN-induced myoclonus should include electrodiagnostic studies.

Hyperkinetic reaction to dihydrocodeine

A young man was using dihydrocodeine analgesia for ear pain having had suppurative otitis media. He attended the emergency department with restlessness and twitching movements in his arms and legs. He had fever with otherwise normal vital signs. He had no signs of cerebellar pathology. Investigations were normal. The working diagnosis was of hyperkinetic reaction to dihydrocodeine. Symptoms resolved within 48 hours of withdrawing the drug. Serotonin toxicity is a rare side effect of dihydrocodeine. There is a theoretical basis for increased side effects when taken with cannabidiol-based substances.

Descriptive study of drug-drug interactions attributed to prescriptions written upon discharge from the emergency department

OBJECTIVE

The primary purpose of this study was to identify the most common drug-drug interactions (DDI'S) in patients prescribed medications upon discharge from the emergency department.

METHODS

We conducted a respective chart review of patients discharged home with a prescription from an academic emergency department. The study period was from August 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015. Patients will be excluded if they meet the following criteria: age under 20 years; discharge home without a prescription; inpatient hospital admission; transfer to another inpatient facility; or sign out against medical advice. The primary endpoint is the identification and characterization of drug-drug interactions caused by discharge prescriptions written by the treating physician.

RESULTS

A total of 500 patient charts were included, with 38% having at least one DDI. Overall, there were 429 DDIs among 858 prescriptions written. 15.6% (n = 67) of the DDI's were classified as B, no modification of therapy needed. 60% (n = 260) of the DDIs were risk-rating category C, requiring monitoring of therapy. 22% (n = 95) of the DDI's identified were category D, which are consider modification of therapy. Lastly, we identified 1.6% (n = 7) category X DDI's. The top 3 most commonly associated drugs were oxycodone/acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and ciprofloxacin.

CONCLUSION

DDIs are occurring upon discharge from a large, urban, tertiary care, academic medical center. Many of the DDI's identified do not require any modification to therapy. However, 23.6% of identified DDI's required modification or were contraindicated. A majority of the category X drug interactions involved QT prolongation.

Myoclonus in renal failure: Two cases of gabapentin toxicity

Gabapentin, an AED approved for the adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with/without secondary generalization and for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, is frequently used off-label for the treatment of both psychiatric and pain disorders. Since gabapentin is cleared solely by renal excretion, dosing requires consideration of the patient's renal function. Myoclonic activity may occur as a complication of gabapentin toxicity, especially with acute kidney injury or end-stage renal disease. We report 2 cases of myoclonic activity associated with gabapentin toxicity in the setting of renal disease which resolved with discontinuation of gabapentin and treatment with hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. As gabapentin has multiple indications and off-label uses, an understanding of myoclonus, neurotoxicity, and renal dosing is important to clinicians in multiple specialties.