Successful Conservative Management of Trimethoprim Induced Life-Threatening Hyperkalaemia in a Patient with Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia

Co-trimoxazole is a combination antibiotic made up of trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole that is first line treatment for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). Hyperkalaemia is a relatively common side effect of the trimethoprim component of co-trimoxazole but it is not well recognised by clinicians. The mechanism of action causing hyperkalaemia due to trimethoprim is similar to the potassium sparing diuretic effect of amiloride. It has been suggested on this basis that the hyperkalaemia can be reversed by the administration of furosemide and 0.9% saline to promote kaliuresis. We present what we believe to be the first published case of successfully managing trimethoprim induced hyperkalaemia with furosemide and 0.9% saline allowing the continued use of co-trimoxazole to treat severe PJP.