Cefixime-Induced Dystonia and Hypothermia in a 12-Year Old Boy: A Need for Safe Prescribing

This study report a case of adverse reaction to cefixime; a newly promoted drug in Nigeria, manifesting as dystonia and hypothermia in a 12-year old boy. The reaction was delayed, as it occurred after the second dose of the drug. The symptoms abated after cefixime was discontinued without causing any sequelae. Neurotoxicity of cefixime was initially uncommon and not reported during its clinical trial, but in recent time it has emerged and is on the increase, especially in adults with renal failure. The neurotoxicity reported in adults ranged from encephalopathy to coma, which were reversible after discontinuation of the drug. Dystonia and hypothermia had neither been reported in adults nor children following use of cefixime at therapeutic dose or in children with renal failure. This report is, therefore, made to alert health care providers that adverse drug reaction in children is not a rare problem in Nigeria and to highlight the significance of evidence based medicine, safe and rational prescribing in preventing adverse reaction to drugs.