title: Ertapenem-Induced Encephalopathy in a Patient With Normal Renal Function.
abstract: Drug-induced neurotoxicity is a rare adverse reaction associated with ertapenem. Encephalopathy is a type of neurotoxicity that is defined as a diffuse disease of the brain that alters brain function or structure. We report a patient withnormalrenal function who developed ertapenem-induced encephalopathy manifesting as altered mental status, hallucinations, and dystonic symptoms. The patient's symptoms improved dramatically following ertapenem discontinuation, consistent with case reports describing ertapenem neurotoxicity in renal dysfunction. Since clinical evidence strongly suggested ertapenem causality, we utilized the Naranjo Scale to estimate the probability of an adverse drug reaction to ertapenem. Our patient received a Naranjo Scale score of 7, suggesting a probable adverse drug reaction, with a reasonable temporal sequence to support our conclusion.
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
authors.forename: S Scott
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jumper
authors.affiliation: Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Columbia, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Columbia, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Babatunde
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Edun
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wyatt
keywords: drug-induced encephalopathy; drug-induced neurotoxicity; ertapenem