This case report aims to introduce a patient with severe
hypokalemia as one of the rare complications of
ondansetron injection. The
stroke patient was 56 years old and hospitalized in the emergency department with and purulent sputum. The symptoms and lung computed tomography scan confirmed the diagnosis of
aspiration pneumonia. A nasogastric tube was inserted, and food gavage was performed for the patient. The treatment was started with
meropenem to manage
aspiration pneumonia. The patient could not tolerate the gavage. Consequently,
ondansetron was prescribed, but severe
hypokalemia of 2.5 mEq/l was developed. The causes of
hypokalemia were evaluated. The hematological, biochemical, and liver function tests were done, and the
potassium level was measured daily. Afterward, causes of
hypokalemia was ruled out and with discontinuation of
ondansetron the
hypokalemia was resolved.
Hypokalemia may be caused by
ondansetron. It is required that
potassium monitoring be always considered during administrating of this medicine.