This is a case report of a 69-year-old morbidly obese woman who presented with mental status changes after she was treated with acyclovir for shingles. The predominant symptoms were word-finding difficulties and visual hallucinations. Complicating her presentation was acyclovir-induced acute renal injury causing her creatinine level to rise up to 7.4 mg/dL. Acyclovir was discontinued on the suspicion of acyclovir neurotoxicity. Even though PCR for varicella zoster virus in the cerebrospinal fluid was positive, acyclovir was not restarted and the patient continued to improve and returned to her baseline.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4009849 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2013-201941 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Low-Dose Acyclovir Reduces the Reactivation of Herpes Simplex and Varicella Zoster Viruses After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.
Cureus
December 2024
Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, USA.
Introduction: Reactivation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a potential complication following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). Since different doses and durations of acyclovir prophylaxis may be utilized across transplant centers, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a lower dose of acyclovir in preventing HSV and VZV reactivation in alloSCT recipients within our institution.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who underwent alloSCT between April 2016 and May 2023.
Acyclovir provides protection against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells through the kynurenine pathway.
Neurotoxicology
January 2025
Department of Biology, Ataturk University, Faculty of Science, Erzurum, Turkey. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- Parkinson's disease, a common neurodegenerative disorder, involves the kynurenine pathway that contributes to neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, leading to neurodegeneration through neurotoxic substances like QUIN.
- Acyclovir, an antiviral drug, shows promise in protecting neurons by reducing cell death and inflammatory markers such as α-synuclein and TNF-α in an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease.
- Research indicates that acyclovir might exert neuroprotective effects by altering the kynurenine pathway and inhibiting QUIN-induced damage, though its exact mechanisms remain to be fully understood.
Valacyclovir Induced Neurotoxicity, with Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, in a Hospital-Based Setting in the Netherlands.
Eur J Case Rep Intern Med
October 2024
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Background: Valacyclovir-induced neurotoxicity is a rare side effect. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of patients with valacyclovir-induced neurotoxicity and establish valacyclovir plasma concentrations in a tertiary hospital between January 2018 and November 2022.
Case Descriptions: In total 208 patients were identified with measured acyclovir concentrations, and the electronic health records of these patients were analysed.
Differences in safety profiles of anti-herpesvirus medications: a real-world pharmacovigilance study based on the FAERS database.
Expert Opin Drug Saf
October 2024
Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Article Synopsis
- The study compared the safety profiles of four anti-herpesvirus drugs—acyclovir, ganciclovir, valaciclovir, and foscarnet—using data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System from 2004 to 2023.
- All drugs showed significant risks for hematotoxicity, with ganciclovir and foscarnet being the most myelosuppressive.
- Specific associations were noted: foscarnet posed the highest risk for renal impairment and seizures, while acyclovir had strong ties to neurotoxicity and severe skin reactions.
Acyclovir-induced psychiatric and renal adverse effects in a diabetic patient: A case report.
Clin Case Rep
August 2024
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran.
Acyclovir can cause neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, especially in diabetic patients with renal impairment. Consider acyclovir dose adjustment, close monitoring of kidney function, and hemodialysis as a potential therapeutic option in such cases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!