1. Propylene Glycol Toxicity in Adolescent with Refractory Myoclonic Status Epilepticus
- Author
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Bjur, Kara A., Cannon, Bryan C., Fine, Anthony L., Ritter, Matthew J., Schueler, Kerry E., and Nemergut, Michael E.
- Subjects
Article Subject - Abstract
Propylene glycol (PG) is a solvent commonly used in medications that, while benign at low doses, may cause toxicity in adults and children at high doses. We describe a case and the physiologic sequelae of propylene glycol toxicity manifested in a critically ill adolescent male with refractory myoclonic status epilepticus aggressively treated with multiple PG-containing medications (lorazepam, phenobarbital, and pentobarbital)—all within accepted dosing guidelines and a total daily PG exposure previously recognized to be safe. Hemodynamic measurements by bedside echocardiography during clinical toxicity are also reported. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for propylene glycol toxicity in patients treated with PG-containing medications even when the total PG exposure is lower than currently accepted limits.
- Published
- 2017
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