Piperacillin-tazobactam-induced hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
Piperacillin/tazobactam is a commonly prescribed antibiotic and is generally considered safe. We report a case of a 2-year-old girl who developed hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis and bradycardia after receiving intravenous piperacillin-tazobactam for bronchopneumonia. Upon withdrawal of the drug, serum potassium normalized in 2 days. Hypokalemia is a serious adverse effect of piperacillin-tazobactam and should be suspected while treating patients with this drug. Early recognition and prompt withdrawal of the drug will result in lesser morbidity.
Department of Pediatrics, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital and Medical College, Sion, Mumbai - 400 022, India.
Syed Ahmed
SA
Zaki
Vijay
V
Lad