Oral Acyclovir and Neurotoxicity
Authors: Suzanne K. Swan
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1989)

Letters and Corrections15 July 1989Oral Acyclovir and NeurotoxicitySuzanne K. Swan, MD, William M. Bennett, MDSuzanne K. Swan, MDSearch for more papers by this author, William M. Bennett, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-111-2-188_1 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the Editor: Acyclovir (9- [ (2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl] guanine), an acyclic purine nuclease, is the treatment of choice for herpes zoster and varicella in the immunocompromised host. Adverse effects attributed to acyclovir therapy include nausea, vomiting, rash, phlebitis, myelosuppression, and decreased renal function. Neurotoxicity, manifested by vertigo, obtundation, headache, confusion, seizures, and tremor, has been linked to intravenous acyclovir therapy. To our knowledge, neurotoxicity has not been reported after oral acyclovir therapy. We present a case of neurotoxicity following orally administered acyclovir in a patient with end-stage renal disease.A 76-year-old woman receiving chronic hemodialysis presented with a 2-day history of...References1. Leitman P. Acyclovir clinical pharmacology. Am J Med. 1982;73:193-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Laskin O, Longstreth J, and Whelton A. Effect of renal failure on the pharmacokinetics of acyclovir. Am J Med. 1982;73:197-201. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Bennett W, Aronoff G, Golper T, Morrison G, Singer I, and Brater D. Drug Prescribing in Renal Failure. Philadelphia: American College of Physicians; 1987:28-9. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Suzanne K. Swan, MD; William M. Bennett, MDAffiliations: Oregon Health Sciences University Portland, OR 97201 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byNeurotoxicity associated with acyclovir and valacyclovir: A systematic review of casesAcute kidney injury and acyclovir-associated encephalopathy after administration of valacyclovir in an elderly person with normal renal functionA Case Report of Neurotoxicity After Prolonged Doses of Acyclovir in a Patient With Renal DysfunctionHigher dose versus lower dose of antiviral therapy in the treatment of herpes zoster infection in the elderly: a matched retrospective population-based cohort studyAntiviral AgentsNeurological toxicity of acyclovir: Report of a case in a six-month-old liver transplant recipientNeurologic Complications of Hematopoietic Stem Cell TransplantationAseptic Meningitis Related to ValacyclovirAntiviral agentsOral Acyclovir and Neurologic Adverse Effects in Endstage Renal DiseaseAcute Renal Failure and Neurotoxicity following Oral AcyclovirMedikamentös induzierte Psychose bei einer HIV-infizierten PatientinDistinguishing acyclovir neurotoxicity from encephalomyelitisAcyclovir-induced neurotoxicity: Concentration-side effect relationship in acyclovir overdoseAcute Renal Failure and Coma after a High Dose of Oral AcyclovirMiscellaneous antibacterial and antiviral drugsNeurological Complications of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation 15 July 1989Volume 111, Issue 2Page: 188-188KeywordsEpileptic seizuresHeadachesNauseaPurinesRashesRenal failureVertigoVomiting ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 15 July 1989 PDF downloadLoading ...