A 75-year-old male patient is a known case of a pulmonary disease and is being treated with inhalational coicosteroids and daily theophylline.The patient was admitted to a hospital for urinary retention few days back and catheterization was done. However, the condition got complicated with urinary tract infection and the patient was put on an antibiotic for the same. Now the patient is presenting with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache and a fine hand tremor. The patient also appears to have tachycardia. According to the doctor, the symptoms may be due to increased serum levels of the drugs taken by the patient. Which of the following drug may be responsible for the patient’s condition?
A 75-year-old male patient is a known case of a pulmonary disease and is being treated with inhalational coicosteroids and daily theophylline.The patient was admitted to a hospital for urinary retention few days back and catheterization was done. However, the condition got complicated with urinary tract infection and the patient was put on an antibiotic for the same. Now the patient is presenting with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache and a fine hand tremor. The patient also appears to have tachycardia. According to the doctor, the symptoms may be due to increased serum levels of the drugs taken by the patient. Which of the following drug may be responsible for the patient’s condition?
π‘ Explanation
**Core Concept**
The patient's symptoms are likely due to an interaction between theophylline and another medication, resulting in increased serum levels of theophylline. Theophylline is a narrow therapeutic index medication, meaning small changes in serum concentration can lead to significant clinical effects.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The patient's recent catheterization and urinary tract infection may have led to a decrease in renal function, causing theophylline levels to rise. Additionally, the addition of an antibiotic, such as ciprofloxacin, can inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, specifically CYP1A2, which is responsible for metabolizing theophylline. This results in decreased theophylline clearance and increased serum levels, leading to the patient's symptoms. The symptoms described, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, hand tremor, and tachycardia, are consistent with theophylline toxicity.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is not relevant to the patient's symptoms and is not a known interaction with theophylline.
* **Option B:** While erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, it is not a known inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, and its use would not lead to increased theophylline levels.
* **Option D:** This option is not relevant to the patient's symptoms and is not a known interaction with theophylline.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
When patients with renal insufficiency or those taking medications that inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzyme system are taking narrow therapeutic index medications like theophylline, close monitoring of serum levels is essential to prevent toxicity.
**Correct Answer:** C. Ciprofloxacin
β Correct Answer: D. Ciprofloxacin
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