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Chronic intoxication by doxycycline use for more than 12 years
G W Westermann1, M Böhm, G Bonsmann
1Department of Internal Medicine D, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany. Gerald.Westermann@t-online.de
Journal of Internal Medicine
|January 5, 2000
Summary
A 12-year-old patient experienced severe side effects from doxycycline self-medication, including cardiac issues. Fortunately, these adverse events, alongside liver and kidney damage, were reversible upon cessation of the antibiotic.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Toxicology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Doxycycline is a widely used antibiotic.
- Self-medication with antibiotics can lead to toxicity.
- Depersonalization-derealization syndrome may involve complex treatment regimens.
Observation:
- A 12-year-old patient self-medicated with 1g of doxycycline daily for 12 years.
- The patient presented with depersonalization-derealization syndrome.
- Observed adverse effects included hepatocellular necrosis, cholestasis, nephrotoxicity, leukopenia, anemia, and skin hyperpigmentation.
Findings:
- The patient developed previously unreported cardiac adverse events: intermittent supraventricular tachycardia and sporadic Wenckebach heart block.
- These cardiac and systemic toxicities were associated with chronic high-dose doxycycline use.
- All reported side effects, including cardiac events, were reversible after discontinuing doxycycline.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for severe cardiac toxicity from chronic doxycycline intoxication.
- It underscores the risks of antibiotic self-medication and the importance of medical supervision.
- The reversibility of these adverse effects offers a positive outlook for managing similar intoxications.