Metronidazole-related neurotoxicity in a referral hospital

Abstract

Objectives: Metronidazole is commonly used drug in almost all the fields of medicine. Commonly patients use medication for a shorter time than was prescribed, but in this report, the patients have used medication for long time based on ultrasound images. This study aims to assess metronidazole-related neurotoxicity at this hospital. Material and Methods: All the patients with diagnosis of amebic liver abscess, who developed neurotoxicity with metronidazole, were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Ten patients with metronidazole neurotoxicity were seen from April 2017 to March 2019. All ten had peripheral neuropathy; one each had in addition cerebellar ataxia and new onset seizures. Conclusion: A preventable toxic effect with metronidazole has to be recognized early during drug therapy for hepatic amebic abscesses. A dose adjustment during therapy helps in preventing this neurotoxicity. The patients have to be educated that metronidazole should not be continued on ultrasound images.