Psychotic episode secondary to metronidazole use

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Psychosis is an uncommon but recognized adverse effect of various pharmaceutical agents.
• Medication-induced psychosis necessitates careful differential diagnosis.

Observation:

• A 27-year-old female patient developed psychosis during metronidazole therapy.
• The patient's psychotic symptoms emerged and resolved concurrently with metronidazole administration.

Findings:

• Metronidazole, an antibiotic, was temporally associated with the onset and cessation of psychotic symptoms.
• This case suggests a potential causal link between metronidazole and drug-induced psychosis.

Implications:

• Healthcare providers must consider medication side effects, including psychosis, in patient evaluations.
• Increased awareness of drug-induced psychosis is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.