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Metronidazole-Induced Central Nervous System Toxicity: A Systematic Review.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21996645     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE:: To assess patient and medication factors that contribute to metronidazole toxicity. DATA SOURCES:: We searched PUBMED from 1965 through April 7, 2011, and performed a hand search of bibliographies. STUDY SELECTION:: Case reports or case series reporting metronidazole-induced central nervous toxicity. DATA EXTRACTION:: Two authors independently abstracted demographics, metronidazole indication, dose and duration, neurological manifestations, and outcomes as well as brain imaging findings. DATA SYNTHESIS:: Among 64 patients, 48 (77%) had cerebellar dysfunction, 21 (33%) had altered mental status, and 8 (15%) had seizures. Patients' ages averaged 53.3 years (range, 12-87 years), and 64% were male. The median duration of metronidazole was 54 days, although 26% had taken it less than a week and 11% had taken it less than 72 hours. Among cases with outcome data, most patients either improved (n = 18 [29%]) or had complete resolution of their symptoms with discontinuation of metronidazole (n = 41 [65%]). There was no difference in resolution of symptom by age (P = 0.71) or sex (P = 0.34). The patients with cerebellar dysfunction were less likely to experience complete resolution than those with mental status changes or seizures (relative risk, 0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.49-0.92). Nearly all patients (n = 55 [86%]) underwent imaging of the brain: 44 (69%) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 12 (19%) underwent computed tomographic studies. All patients with cerebellar dysfunction had abnormalities on imaging: 93% (n = 39) had a cerebellar lesion, although numerous areas in the brain were affected. On follow-up MRIs, 25 patients (83%) had complete resolution of abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS:: Metronidazole can rarely cause central nervous system toxicity; it does not seem to be a dose- or duration-related phenomenon. Most patients will have MRI abnormalities. Prognosis is excellent with metronidazole cessation.
Authors:
Akira Kuriyama; Jeffrey L Jackson; Asako Doi; Toru Kamiya
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Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-10-8
Journal Detail:
Title:  Clinical neuropharmacology     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1537-162X     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-10-14     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7607910     Medline TA:  Clin Neuropharmacol     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
*Department of General Internal Medicine, Rakuwakai Otowa Hospital, Kyoto, Japan; †GIM Section, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; ‡Department of Infectious Diseases, Rakuwakai Otowa Hospital, Kyoto, Japan; and §Department of Infectious Diseases and Department of General Internal Medicine, Rakuwakai Otowa Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.
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