title: Acyclovir-Induced Neurotoxicity: A Case Report and Review of Literature.
abstract: Neurotoxicity can develop as a side effect of intravenous acyclovir use in patients with renal impairment. It is underreported in clinical practice and often confused with worsening herpes encephalitis. We present a 69-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis with acyclovir neurotoxicity treated with daily extended hemodialysis sessions. Daily hemodialysis for extended period may shorten the neurotoxicity period and can help with faster return to normal mentation. A high index of suspicion is warranted to diagnose acyclovir-induced neurotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH.
authors.forename: Mohammed Andaleeb
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: Nada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Derar
authors.forename: Syed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hinch
authors.forename: Shoba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ratnam
authors.forename: Ragheb
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Assaly
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir