The nervous system adverse effect induced by β-lactam antibiotics in patients on hemodialysis

Objective To discuss the reasonable utilization of β-lactam antibiotics in patients with renal failure on hemedialysis. Methods The clinical characteristics of patients with renal failure on hemodylysis,who de-veloped the adverse effect of nervous system and psychiatric symptom while being treated with β-lactam antibiotics,were retrospectively analyzed. Results The adverse effect of nervous system and psychiatric symptom showed dur-ing and after hemodialysis,including: mental confusion,hyperexcitabiliy,incoherent speech,lethargy and amyestasia in two cases. Physical examination did not show signs of cerebral focal injury in all cases. Computed tomography of brain in 7 patients did not show acute lesions. The symptoms completely disappeared after withdrawal of β-lactam antibiotics but bemodialysis or hemodiafiltration continued. Conclusion β-lactam antibiotics used in conventional dose could cause temporary adverse effect of nervous system in patients with renal failure on bemodialysis,which is related to prolongation of drug half life.