Abstract

DRUG INDUCED DYSELECTROLYTEMIA: A CASE REPORT

Iatrogenic Dyselectrolytemia is mainly attributed to diuretic class of drugs. The management of hypertension utilizes the said class of compounds either alone or in combination with Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs). The patient in the current case was prescribed with a combination of ARBs and diuretic for management of hypertension. The combination employed here is of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide. Losartan is angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic, they exert their pharmacological action by blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT 1 receptor and reduce sodium (Na+ ) reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule. The use of this combination should be under strict monitoring and control owing to the potential of dyselectrolytemia. The current case describes such an instance in a 73-yearold female patient who was admitted to the general medicine department with fever, speech, bowel, and bladder incontinence. The patient had history of hypertension and was on a combination medication for the same that induced dyselectrolytemia. The possibility of developing the same is higher in geriatric patients, causing undue and avoidable morbidity to the patient. As management of the same the offending drug was substituted. During the course patient recovered and on discharge, electrolyte levels as well as blood pressure was within normal range.