title: Serum sickness secondary to ciprofloxacin use.
abstract: Although serum sickness-like reactions are uncommon, various drugs have recently been implicated to manifest the reaction. The following case report is of a possible serum sickness-like reaction secondary to ciprofloxacin use, a commonly prescribed antibiotic in the US. A 62-y-old female developed polyarthralgias, myalgia and a generalized urticarial rash following 5 d use of ciprofloxacin. On admission to the hospital, patient was placed on cefazolin and gentamicin for suspected bacteremia. However, the regimen was discontinued after 72 h because of worsening clinical condition. Patient was placed on iv methylprednisolone therapy, and within 18 h a significant improvement was noted in her myalgias and rash. Over the next 72 h the steroid therapy was changed to a po regimen and the patient became asymptomatic 5 d after the initiation of steroid therapy. Patient was discharged on day 9 of hospital admission. Though serum sickness-like reactions have been reported with various drugs, only 1 case has been reported implicating ciprofloxacin. Clinicians should be aware of this potential adverse event secondary to ciprofloxacin use.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Services, John F Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Indio, CA 92201.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Guharoy
mesh_terms: D018771:Arthralgia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity; D016603:Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012713:Serum Sickness / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D002437:Cefazolin; D008775:Methylprednisolone