Hyperkalemia in Elderly Patients Receiving Standard Doses of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
Authors: David H. Canaday
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1994)

Letters1 March 1994Hyperkalemia in Elderly Patients Receiving Standard Doses of Trimethoprim-SulfamethoxazoleDavid H. Canaday, MD and James R. Johnson, MDDavid H. Canaday, MDUniversity of Minnesota Medical School; Minneapolis, MN 55455 and James R. Johnson, MDUniversity of Minnesota Medical School; Minneapolis, MN 55455Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-120-5-199403010-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:High-dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy has recently been reported to induce reversible hyperkalemia by an amiloride-like action [1-3]. We report a case of reversible hyperkalemia associated with standard doses of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.An 84-year-old woman with chronic pulmonary disease admitted to the University of Minnesota Hospital with Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia was given intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 160 mg and 800 mg, respectively, every 12 hours (total, 6.5 mg/kg per day) for four doses, followed by an oral preparation at the same dose. Her serum potassium concentration, which at admission had been 3.6 mmol/L, increased progressively to 5.3 mmol/L by 72 hours of ...References1. Medina I, Mills J. Leoung G, Hopewell PC, Lee B, Modin G, et al. Oral therapy for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A controlled trial of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole versus trimethoprim-dapsone. N Engl J Med. 1990; 323:776-82. Google Scholar2. Greenberg S, Reiser IW, Chou SY, Porush JG. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole induces reversible hyperkalemia. Ann Intern Med. 1993; 119:291-5. Google Scholar3. Velazquez H, Perazella MA, Wright FS, Ellison DH. Renal mechanism of trimethoprim-induced hyperkalemia. Ann Intern Med. 1993; 119:296-301. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: University of Minnesota Medical School; Minneapolis, MN 55455 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByTrimethoprim-associated electrolyte and acid-base abnormalitiesResponse to letter by Levine et al.Antimicrobial-Associated Renal Tubular AcidosisSevere hyperkalemia in two renal transplant recipients treated with standard dose of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazoleTrimethoprim-Induced HyperkalaemiaHyperkalemia in the elderlyHyperkalemia and Trimethoprim-SulfamethoxazoleAuthors' replyEffect of Standard-Dose Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole on the Serum Potassium Concentration in Elderly MenSevere Hyperkalemia with Trimethoprim—QuinaprilSevere Hyperkalemia in a Geriatric Patient Receiving Standard Doses of Trimethoprim-SulfamethoxazoleCase Report: Reversible Hyperkalemia Associated With Trimethoprim-SulfamethoxazoleCotrimoxazole 1 March 1994Volume 120, Issue 5Page: 437-438KeywordsAntibioticsAttentionCreatinineHospitalizationsOutpatient clinicsPneumocystis carinii pneumoniaPneumoniaPotassiumPotassium chloridePulmonary diseases Issue Published: 1 March 1994 CopyrightCopyright © 1994 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...