METHYLPREDNISOLONE INDUCED HYPOKALEMIA IN AN IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (ITP) PATIENT

Sherly Tandi Arrang,Fonny Cokro

doi:10.22159/ijpps.2020v12i7.37905

Abstract

We reported an Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) patient, 66-years-old (woman), with hypokalemia. She received 125 mg three times daily of methylprednisolone injection for her ITP. Corticosteroids are the initial treatment of ITP. Her potassium level decrease after she took methylprednisolone. Hypokalemia is also a common problem affecting the elderly or geriatric population. Many literatures reported side effects of corticosteroid is associated with hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium levels must be check during corticosteroid therapy. In this report, we describe the association between corticosteroid with hypokalemia effect.

Highlights

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is an idiopathic condition of having thrombocytopenia or a low platelet count
The treatment can be initiated with the use of IV steroids, for instance, with methylprednisolone or prednisone
The oral steroid dosage should be gradually reduced after several weeks of use therapy [1, 3]. Corticosteroids such as mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids can cause hypokalemia Hereby, we report the ITP patient with hypokalemia induced by high dose corticosteroid therapy [4, 5]

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is an idiopathic condition of having thrombocytopenia or a low platelet count. The oral steroid dosage should be gradually reduced after several weeks of use therapy [1, 3] Corticosteroids such as mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids can cause hypokalemia Hereby, we report the ITP patient with hypokalemia induced by high dose corticosteroid therapy [4, 5]. She admitted to the hospital with diagnosed ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura). After 8 care days at the hospital, she felt malaise or fatigue She has diagnosed hypokalemia, with potassium level was 2.3 mEq/l. Her potassium level to be normal (table 1) In this case, the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale was applied to quantify the degree of association between methylprednisolone and hypokalemia and it was found to be score 8 (probable).

DISCUSSION

Findings

CONCLUSION