Acute post-infusion hypokalemia following rituximab therapy in patients with nephrotic syndrome: case series and literature review

TL;DR

Two patients with nephrotic syndrome developed severe low potassium levels shortly after rituximab infusions, highlighting the need for potassium monitoring during treatment.

Contribution

Reports a rare adverse event of acute hypokalemia following rituximab therapy in nephrotic syndrome patients.

Findings

Two adult nephrotic syndrome patients developed severe hypokalemia hours after rituximab infusions.

Hypokalemia occurred despite prior uneventful rituximab infusions and absence of common causes.

Prompt potassium supplementation led to full recovery in both cases.

Abstract

Rituximab has become an important therapeutic option for nephrotic syndrome (NS), and its adverse event profile is generally well characterized. However, reports of acute hypokalemia specifically occurring in the post-infusion period remain rare. We aimed to present and analyze cases of this distinct timing of electrolyte disturbance.

This case series describes two adult patients with NS who developed acute, severe hypokalemia in the hours immediately following a rituximab infusion. Case 1: A 20-year-old male with steroid-dependent minimal change disease developed progressive quadriceps weakness and severe hypokalemia (potassium 1.79 mmol/L) several hours after his fifth rituximab infusion. His previous four infusions had been uneventful. Case 2: A 46-year-old male with membranous nephropathy presented with marked mental fatigue and severe hypokalemia (potassium 2.34 mmol/L) shortly after his sixth cumulative rituximab infusion, following five prior tolerated infusions. Common precipitants of hypokalemia were absent. Both patients responded promptly to potassium supplementation, with full symptomatic recovery and normalization of serum potassium.

Severe hypokalemia can occur acutely after rituximab infusion in NS, even after prior uneventful exposures. Presentations may be delayed and nonspecific. Clinicians should monitor serum potassium before and after rituximab administration to enable timely recognition and management of this rare complication.

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