Ciprofloxacin-Induced Unilateral Tremor and Weakness Mimicking Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report

TL;DR

A man developed stroke-like symptoms after taking ciprofloxacin, but his symptoms resolved after stopping the drug, showing it was a rare side effect.

Contribution

This case report highlights ciprofloxacin-induced neurotoxicity as a rare but important stroke mimic.

Findings

Neurological symptoms resolved within 48 hours after discontinuing ciprofloxacin.

MRI confirmed no acute or subacute ischemia, ruling out stroke.

Naranjo score of 7 indicates a probable adverse drug reaction.

Abstract

Fluoroquinolones are widely prescribed antibiotics and are generally well-tolerated; however, they are associated with rare but clinically significant neurological adverse effects that may mimic acute cerebrovascular events.

We describe the case of a 50-year-old man who developed intermittent unilateral coarse tremors and weakness of the left upper limb approximately two weeks after initiating ciprofloxacin therapy following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for suspected choledocholithiasis. The acute presentation prompted a Code Stroke activation. Initial computed tomography (CT) of the brain and CT angiography (CTA) of the head and neck showed no evidence of acute infarction or large vessel occlusion. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain with diffusion-weighted imaging definitively excluded acute or subacute ischemia.

Ciprofloxacin was discontinued due to suspicion of drug-induced neurotoxicity, and the patient’s neurological symptoms resolved completely within 48 hours. Follow-up at one month demonstrated sustained recovery and absence of recurrence.

This case highlights ciprofloxacin-induced neurotoxicity, an important stroke mimic with a Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale score of 7, and, as such, underscores the importance of thorough medication reconciliation in patients presenting with acute focal neurological deficits.

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