1999 Resident Poster Competition
K. George Thampy M.D.
ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY
Gentamicin-induced Acute Psychosis
The most common adverse effect of Gentamicin on the nervous system involves the eighth cranial nerve resulting in auditory (loss of hearing, ringing or buzzing, or a feeling of fullness in the ears) and or vestibular (clumsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and unsteadiness) disturbances. Gentamicin is also known to cause encephalopathy and seizures. However, the neuropsychiatric effect of gentamicin are extremely rare. Here we describe an 80-year old woman with no previous history of psychiatric disorders who developed acute psychosis within 48 hours after starting gentamicin treatment for Enterobacter and Proteus cystitis. A number of potential causes, including electrolyte abnormalities, metabolic derangements, myocardial infarction, psychotropic drugs, intracranial bleed, stroke, intra-abdominal pathology, were ruled out. The patient had normal renal function and therapeutic serum levels of gentamicin during the episode. Upon withdrawal of gentamicin her psychosis resolved within 24-48 hours.
Return to 1999 Table of Contents
What's New
Contact Information
Alan D Forker, MD MACP
Missouri Chapter Governor
Patrick Mills
Missouri Chapter Executive Director
