Systemic side effects of antiviral therapy in a patient with acute retinal necrosis

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2014 Jun;22(3):233-5. doi: 10.3109/09273948.2013.833632. Epub 2013 Sep 24.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of Acute Retinal Necrosis (ARN)-developed nephrotoxicity during intravenous acyclovir treatment and toxic hepatitis during oral valacyclovir treatment.

Design: Interventional case report.

Methods: Retrospective chart review.

Results: A 45-year-old male with ARN treated with intravenous acyclovir developed nephrotoxicity. After switching to oral valacyclovir, toxic hepatitis developed. Both renal and liver function tests returned to normal levels after drug cessation

Conclusions: Although rare, clinicians should be aware of the potential nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic side effects of antiviral therapy during ARN treatment.

Keywords: Acute retinal necrosis; acyclovir; herpes virus; side effects; valacyclovir.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / adverse effects
  • Acyclovir / analogs & derivatives*
  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Eye Infections, Viral / complications
  • Eye Infections, Viral / drug therapy*
  • Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / complications
  • Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / drug therapy*
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Renal Insufficiency / chemically induced*
  • Renal Insufficiency / diagnosis
  • Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / etiology
  • Valacyclovir
  • Valine / adverse effects
  • Valine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Valine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Valine
  • Valacyclovir
  • Acyclovir