Amoxicillin Induced Fever, Rash, and Catatonia - A Case Study

Abstract

Introduction: Adverse drug reactions (ADR) are defined as any harmful or unpleasant events or injuries resulting from the use of any particular drug. Among those antibiotics that cause adverse reactions, amoxicillin is one of them. Catatonia and vasculitic rash are its rare adverse effects. Case Presentation: A case of a 23-year-old postpartum female with a history of taking empirical Amoxiclav (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid 625mg) injection and oral tablets for episiotomy wounds. She presented with altered sensorium and fever followed by maculopapular rash and with examination findings of generalized rigidity with waxy flexibility that improved by lorazepam challenge; diagnosed as catatonia. On evaluation, amoxicillin was found to be precipitating catatonia in this patient. Conclusion: Since the diagnosis of catatonia is often missed, any cases with clinical presentation of fever, rash, altered sensorium, and generalized rigidity should also be suspected for drug-induced ADR and the precipitating factor should be searched for.