Ibuprofen Overuse Leading to Life-threatening Hypokalemia Associated with Renal Tubular Acidosis in Two Patients

摘要

Ibuprofen is a?commonly used medication?in the United States and is used both by prescription and?over the counter, while hypokalemia is a life-threatening condition caused by various etiologies, one of which is the side effect of medications. Ibuprofen is well-known for its various nephrotoxic side effects, including hyperkalemia as a common electrolyte abnormality, however, renal tubular acidosis leading to hypokalemia with the use of ibuprofen has been reported rarely. We present here two cases of life-threatening hypokalemia due to over-the-counter use of large doses of ibuprofen and describe its management.