[Renal tubular acidosis with severe hypokalemic tetraparesis after ibuprofen intake].
METHODS
A 72-year-old woman was admitted because of severe acute tetraparesis, more marked proximally. For six months she had been taking ibuprofen, up to 4800 mg daily, for a painful ulcer of the lower leg.


METHODS
Biochemical tests revealed marked hypokalaemia (serum potassium 1.4 mmol/l) with a metabolic acidosis (pH 7.29). The ECG showed changes of hypokalaemia (ST-segment depression and U wave).


METHODS
Within two days of administering potassium and bicarbonate the pareses completely regressed. Transitorily abnormal renal functions also rapidly normalized after ibuprofen had been discontinued.


CONCLUSIONS
The biochemical findings suggest renal tubular acidosis, type 2, most likely caused by the excess intake of ibuprofen, a drug which can cause renal dysfunctions with life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities.
Gaul
C
C
Neurologische Klinik mit Poliklinik, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.
Heckmann
J G
JG
Druschky
A
A
Schöcklmann
H
H
Neundörfer
B
B
Erbguth
F
F
D000141:Acidosis, Renal Tubular / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007052:Ibuprofen