The incidence of telbivudine-related adverse reactions has been gradually increased. The increased levels of muscle enzymes and blood lactate are common. In this case, a 23-year-old male patient with long-term oral telbivudine had a rare serious adverse reaction. The main clinical manifestations were progressive myalgia, gradually progressed to mental disorder, and together with multiple organ dysfunction, in which the level of blood lactate was increased significantly and metabolic acidosis was extremely severe. Blood purification and sodium bicarbonate were given to correct acidosis, while ceftazidime was used to prevent infection. Telbivudine was discontinued, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and liver protective drug were used. The patient was discharged with a better health condition. Such patients are easily misdiagnosed as neuromuscular diseases in the early stage, which might delay the treatment and worsen medical conditions. Clinicians need to be cautious and obtain an early identification to avoid misdiagnosis.
Acidosis, Lactic ; chemically induced ; Fatal Outcome ; Humans ; Male ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Telbivudine ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

Metabolic and electrolyte abnormalities, including hypokalemia, hyperglycemia and lactic acidosis, are associated with theophylline overdose. However, we report an unusual case of sinus tachycardia, lactic acidosis, hypokalemia and hyperglycemia associated with the usual theophylline dose in a patient with asthma. The theophylline dose was 200 mg orally twice daily. Three hours after administration of the third dose, the patient experienced palpitation. An electrocardiogram showed a sinus tachycardia. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed a mixed metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. Serum lactate level was 51 mmol/L (normal 0.7~2.1 mmol/L). Biochemistry results were sodium 136 mEq/L, chloride 99 mEq/L, potassium 1.9 mEq/L and glucose 204 mg/dL. Our case suggests that a possibility of theophylline-associated metabolic abnormalities should be considered when an asthmatic patient given the usual theophylline dose presents with lactic acidosis, hypokalemia and hyperglycemia of unknown etiology.
Acidosis, Lactic/*chemically induced ; Adult ; Asthma/drug therapy ; Bronchodilator Agents/administration & dosage/*adverse effects ; Case Report ; Female ; Human ; Hyperglycemia/chemically induced ; Hypokalemia/etiology ; Tachycardia, Sinus/chemically induced ; Theophylline/administration & dosage/*adverse effects

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which are used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been associated with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, including hepatic steatosis, lipodystrophy, myopathy, and lactic acidosis. Such adverse effects are postulated to result from the inhibition of mitochondrial DNA gamma polymerase, which causes the depletion of mitochondrial DNA and eventual the disruption of oxidative phosphorylation. Although cases of severe decompensated lactic acidosis are rare, this syndrome is associated with a high mortality rate. We report upon the first Korean case, of severe lactic acidosis in an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient receiving stavudine, an anti-HIV drug.
Acidosis, Lactic/*chemically induced ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*drug therapy ; Adult ; Anti-HIV Agents/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Female ; Human ; Sodium Bicarbonate/therapeutic use ; Stavudine/*adverse effects/therapeutic use