Ceftriaxone-induced encephalopathy in a patient with a normal renal function.

Ceftriaxone-induced encephalopathy is an exceptionally rare adverse effect of this commonly used cephalosporin and is generally observed in patients undergoing haemodialysis or suffering from severe renal failure. We present a case of a fit woman in her mid-80s with a normal renal function who developed severe fluctuating neurological symptoms (aphasia, loss of contact, chorea-like tongue movements) while being treated with ceftriaxone for a urinary tract infection with bacteraemia. The symptoms began on day 4 of treatment and an adverse drug reaction was suspected on day 7, after exhaustive investigations failed to reveal another cause.