Acute schizophrenia-like psychotic disorder associated with immunosuppressive agent use three years after renal transplantation: a case report

Abstract

<p class="abstract">Tacrolimus is a potent immunosuppressive agent used to prevent graft-versus-host disease after organ transplantation. Though a beneficial drug that contributes in the post-transplant life of patients, it comes with various side effects including, though rarely, psychiatric manifestations such as psychosis.<strong> </strong>Reported here is the case of a 21 year old lady with no prior psychiatry history with apparent tacrolimus-induced schizophrenia-like psychosis. Withdrawal of the immunosuppressant led her to full recovery from the mental problem. To the best of my knowledge, there are only few reports that describe psychosis induced by tacrolimus but none of such reports is from Nigeria, a country with increasing demand for kidney transplant. Clinicians are reminded to regularly watch out for mental status changes in post-transplant patients as early identification of any aberration with immediate reduction of the dosage or substitution of the drug would save both the patient and the already emotionally and financially-stressed family from further distress.</p>