title: Fulminant hyperkalaemia and multiple complications following ibuprofen overdose.
abstract: A previously healthy 17-year-old man was admitted in coma following major overdosage with ibuprofen and minor overdosage of doxepin (plasma concentrations 809 and 0.49 mg/L, respectively). Initially, potassium chloride (20 mmol 3-hourly) was infused because of mild hypokalaemia (K+ 2.8 mmol/L). 14 hours after admission the patient developed a hypermetabolic state with pyrexia, metabolic acidosis and progressive respiratory failure despite ventilation at 16 L/min, and a malignant broad complex tachycardia was associated with acute hyperkalaemia (K+ 8.3 mmol/L). The arrhythmia resolved with correction of the hyperkalaemia. Chest x-rays showed diffuse opacification throughout both lung fields and subsequently there was transient impairment of renal function, with evidence of mild rhabdomyolysis. Ventilatory support was required for 60 hours and a chest x-ray at 6 days showed extensive bilateral nodular shadowing, which was still present at follow-up 4 weeks later.
authors.affiliation: Regional Poisoning Treatment Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Menzies
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Conn
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Prescott
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D007052:Ibuprofen