Severe Ondansetron associated Hypokalemia in a Patient Diagnosed with Aspiration Pneumonia

مقدمه : Ondansetron belongs to a pharmaceutical class described as serotonin ۵ HT۳ receptor antagonists that is prescribed to prevent nausea and vomiting related to cancer chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Hypokalemia is caused by several reasons, including redistribution of potassium in the intracellular space, gastrointestinal injuries, or excessive renal dysfunction. Hypokalemia is recognized as one of the rare complications related to ondansetron. هدف : Investigating the effect of ondansetron on serum potassium levels معرفی بیمار : The stroke patient was ۵۶ years old and hospitalized in the emergency department with and purulent sputum. The symptoms and lung computed tomography scan confirmed the diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia. A nasogastric tube was inserted, and food gavage was performed for the patient. The treatment was started with meropenem to manage aspiration pneumonia. The patient could not tolerate the gavage. Consequently, ondansetron was prescribed, but severe hypokalemia of ۲.۵ mEq/l was developed. The causes of hypokalemia were evaluated. The hematological, biochemical, and liver function tests were done, and the potassium level was measured daily. Afterward, causes of hypokalemia was ruled out and with discontinuation of ondansetron the hypokalemia was resolved. بحث و نتیجه گیری: In general, ondansetron is widely used to control nausea and vomiting due to many causes. ۵HT۳ containing antagonists are also used to treat chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. In a percentage of the patients, side effects such as anaphylaxis, extrapyramidal effects, and ectopic changes were seen. Besides, liver enzyme disruption may occur in ۵% of cases. Hypokalemia with this drug has rarely been reported, probably in terms of the effect of ondansetron on kidney tubules. Hypokalemia may be caused by ondansetron. It is required that potassium monitoring be always considered during administrating of this medicine.

کلیدواژه ها:

Aspiration pneumonia ، hypokalemia ، ondansetron ، stroke