Reported Case of
Paracetamol and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)-Induced
Seizures in a Patient with HIV Infection
Oguamanam Okezie Enwere1
and Chinedu Valentine Eze2
1Department of Medicine,
Faculty of Medicine, Imo State University, Orlu Campus,
2Department of Internal Medicine, Imo State
University Teaching Hospital, Umuna Orlu, Imo State,
Nigeria.
*For correspondence:
Email:
okeyzie@yahoo.com; Tel:
+2348033260826
Received: 18 April 2013
Revised accepted: 30
January 2014
Tropical Journal of
Pharmaceutical Research, March 2014;
13(3):
455-457
http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v13i3.21
Abstract
Commonly available analgesics, such as
paracetamol and non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are used
widely with few or no adverse events by most
individuals. However, some adverse events
have been observed following the use of
these drugs. This paper reports a case of
paracetamol and NSAID-induced seizures in a
patient with the human immunodeficiency
virus infection/acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (HIV/AIDS). These seizures occurred
at different times, first with paracetamol
and then diclofenac (a NSAID). She was
concurrently on anti-retroviral drugs and
antibiotics. We were unable to readily
explain this unusual adverse event as most
documented paracetamol-related adverse
events are either immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated
or due to direct paracetamol-induced hepatic
necrosis following an overdose. This case is
a probable drug-drug interaction not
supported by existing literature, and it is
possible that the background HIV infection
may have a role to play.
Keywords: Paracetamol, Diclofenac, Adverse
events, Seizures, HIV/AIDS.