Eribulin and Confusion: A Previously Unknown Drug Side-Effect
Abu Baker Sheikh1, Abhilash Perisetti2, Nismat Javed3
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Abstract:
Eribulin is an antineoplastic agent used in advanced breast cancer refractory to anthracycline and taxane treatment regimens. A wide variety of side effects with unclear mechanisms have been noted, but encephalopathy has not been widely reported. Here we describe the case of a middle-aged woman treated with eribulin for advanced breast cancer who subsequently developed central nervous system drug-induced toxicity but improved promptly with steroid administration.
Learning Points:
Eribulin-induced encephalopathy is a diagnosis of exclusion and should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients treated with eribulin and presenting with altered mental status.Eribulin can cross the blood-brain barrier.Steroids and drug cessation should be the mainstay of treatment in cases of eribulin-induced encephalopathy.
Related Concept Videos
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects
Unlike...
Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients


