Hospitalization due to an adverse reaction to an antibiotic. Pharmacotherapy and physiotherapy follow-up in the recovery process

Abstract

A 34-year-old man who presents recurrent urological infections treated with different antibiotics as a consequence of urethral stricture, has undergone several surgeries since 2018. Some episodes of infection present with very intense pain and others are asymptomatic. In December 2021, high fever, very intense headache and muscle pain appeared for the first time, for which reason the symptoms were confused with COVID-19. When these symptoms appeared, the patient had been treated for 8 days with Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 160/800 mg. After negative COVID-19 tests, they decide to hospitalize the patient in urology and determine that the symptoms are due to urological infection. He was also diagnosed with myocarditis and peripheral neuropathy. During the following months, the patient returns to have positive urine cultures for different bacteria and is treated with other antibiotics. In May 2022, after positive for Escherichia coli, he was prescribed Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 160/800 mg, 2 days after starting treatment he was hospitalized with a very high fever, severe headache, and pain in the lower back and in the extremities that prevented him from moving. He is referred to traumatology and is diagnosed with low back pain. After the second admission, the patient discusses the case with his trusted pharmacist who knows his clinical history from the beginning and by conducting a study it is detected that there is a possibility that the acute symptoms are due to an adverse effect of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 160/800 mg. The pharmacist notifies the patient of her suspicion that she transfers him to the doctors who treat him. Information on possible intolerance/allergy is included in the patient's clinical history.