title: Myotonic and repetitive discharges in hypokalemic myopathy associated with glycyrrhizin-induced hypochloremia.
abstract: Electromyographic studies were performed in two patients with hypokalemic myopathy induced by the administration of glycyrrhizin, 270-273 mg per day for a period of two and eight months, respectively. Myotonic and repetitive discharges were observed when the serum chloride level fell below 90 mEq/l. Following the administration of potassium chloride, when the chloride level rose above 90 mEq/l, these discharges disappeared. These findings support the causal role of hypochloremia in myotonic discharges. A serum chloride level below 90 mEq/l appears to be critical in producing the myotonic and repetitive discharges.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine [Neurology], School of Medicine, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yanagawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tako
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yanagisawa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000097:blood*; D004576:Electromyography; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002712:Chlorides; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid