A rare case of cephalexin-induced acute interstitial nephritis with hypokalemic periodic paralysis

Indian J Pharmacol. 2020 May-Jun;52(3):210-212. doi: 10.4103/ijp.IJP_532_19. Epub 2020 Aug 4.

Abstract

Drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is often encountered in clinical practice. Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin with antimicrobial sensitivity ranging from Gram-positive to Gram-negative organisms. Cephalexin-induced AIN presenting with hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) has been rarely reported. A 34-year-old female with recent history of oral cephalexin intake presented with acute onset paraplegia with deranged renal parameters and hypokalemia. She was treated conservatively with mechanical ventilator support. HPP could be a rare clinical presentation for cephalexin-induced AIN.

Keywords: Acute interstitial nephritis; cephalexin; hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cephalexin / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis / chemically induced*
  • Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis / diagnosis
  • Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis / physiopathology
  • Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis / therapy
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / chemically induced*
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / diagnosis
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / physiopathology
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / therapy
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cephalexin