Hypokalemic Quadriparesis Secondary to Abuse of Cocaine and Heroin

摘要

Low plasma potassium level can cause muscle weakness, lassitude, constipation as well as rhabdomyolysis and arrhythmias, when severe. In muscle, low plasma po- tassium increases resting membrane potential (hyperpo- larization) of myocytes that tend to make muscle more refractory to excitation, leading to muscle weakness. Hy- pokalemia can be associated with a myriad of causes in- cluding drugs of abuse. We present a case of hypokalemia and muscle weakness following use of cocaine and heroin.