Phenytoin-induced hypothermia

BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Jan 22;12(1):e227443. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-227443.

Abstract

A 60-year-old man with cerebral palsy and epilepsy was admitted with acute lethargy and deterioration in coordination. He was noted to be hypothermic at 35°C on admission. Routine work-up revealed toxic levels of phenytoin. No cause of hypothermia could be identified but as his phenytoin levels normalised, his body temperature also improved. There are three other reported cases of phenytoin- induced hypothermia in the literature. Could this be a rare cause of hypothermia?

Keywords: drug interactions; epilepsy and seizures; unwanted effects / adverse reactions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aftercare
  • Ataxia / diagnosis
  • Ataxia / etiology*
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inducers / toxicity
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia / chemically induced*
  • Hypothermia / diagnosis
  • Lethargy / diagnosis
  • Lethargy / etiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenytoin / blood
  • Phenytoin / toxicity*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inducers
  • Phenytoin