When Paranoia Comes with the Treatment: Psychosis Associated with Tacrolimus Use
João Machado Nogueira, Maria João Freire, Vanessa Vila Nova, Gustavo Nobre de Jesus
Abstract
Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug frequently used in solid organ transplant recipients. This drug has well-documented neuropsychiatric side effects in the literature, although emergence of psychotic symptoms is rare, being only described in a very few case reports. We present a case of a renal transplant recipient with no prior psychiatric history, who developed a severe psychosis secondary to supratherapeutic tacrolimus' blood concentrations. This case highlights the importance of clinical awareness to rare but severe neuropsychiatric effects due to tacrolimus use.
Topics & Concepts
TacrolimusParanoiaPsychosisMedicinePsychiatric historyPsychiatryOrgan transplantationIntensive care medicineTransplantationPediatricsSurgeryEpilepsyNeurological Complications and SyndromesPharmacological Effects and Toxicity StudiesRenal Transplantation Outcomes and Treatments