Hypokalemic Quadriparesis due to Use of Tetracosactide

Abstract

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) is a rare disease characterized by reversible attacks of muscle weakness accompanied by episodic hypokalemia. The most common causes of HPP are familial periodic paralysis (FPP), thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) and sporadic periodic paralysis (SPP). A male patient admitted to our emergency services had weakness in his upper and lower extremities due to using tetracosactide. Patient was diagnosed as hypokalemic paralysis based upon laboratory examination and history. The epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and therapy of this relatively rare disease were reviewed.