Next Article in Journal
Highly Expressed Genes in Human High Grade Gliomas: Immunohistochemical Analysis of Data from the Human Protein Atlas
Previous Article in Journal
Highly Expressed Genes within Hippocampal Sector CA1: Implications for the Physiology of Memory
 
 
Neurology International is published by MDPI from Volume 12 Issue 3 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher in Open Access under a CC-BY licence, and they are hosted by MDPI on mdpi.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with PAGEPress.
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Case Report

Myoclonic Jerks Secondary to Piperacillin and Nafcillin

Department of Neurology, Sisters Hospital, Buffalo, NY, USA
Neurol. Int. 2014, 6(2), 5349; https://doi.org/10.4081/ni.2014.5349
Submission received: 12 February 2014 / Revised: 12 February 2014 / Accepted: 4 April 2014 / Published: 16 June 2014

Abstract

A 66-year-old male receiving intravenous piperacillin and nafcillin for a post-surgical wound infection developed intermittent myoclonic jerks of all four extremities that disappeared after discontinuation of these two medications. In addition there was a mild yet definite intermittent encephalopathic effect; head computed tomography examination as negative and there was no prior history for seizure or myoclonus. These two beta lactam ring antibiotics are structurally similar to penicillin, which is well known to induce not only myoclonus but also seizure activity by reducing the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) induced inhibitory currents by inducing an open chloride channel block of the GABA type A receptors within the brain. Clinicians need to be fully aware of the potential epileptogenic effects of piperacillin, nafcillin, and related antibiotics.
Keywords: myoclonus; antibiotics; gamma-aminobutyric acid; nafcillin; computed tomography myoclonus; antibiotics; gamma-aminobutyric acid; nafcillin; computed tomography

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Meyer, M.A. Myoclonic Jerks Secondary to Piperacillin and Nafcillin. Neurol. Int. 2014, 6, 5349. https://doi.org/10.4081/ni.2014.5349

AMA Style

Meyer MA. Myoclonic Jerks Secondary to Piperacillin and Nafcillin. Neurology International. 2014; 6(2):5349. https://doi.org/10.4081/ni.2014.5349

Chicago/Turabian Style

Meyer, Michael A. 2014. "Myoclonic Jerks Secondary to Piperacillin and Nafcillin" Neurology International 6, no. 2: 5349. https://doi.org/10.4081/ni.2014.5349

APA Style

Meyer, M. A. (2014). Myoclonic Jerks Secondary to Piperacillin and Nafcillin. Neurology International, 6(2), 5349. https://doi.org/10.4081/ni.2014.5349

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop