Central nervous system manifestations of penicillin toxicity in man

Abstract

A case was presented in which systemic administration of massive quantities of penicillin produced a neurologic syndrome of decreasing level of consciousness and myoclonic jerks. This was associated with electroencephalographic abnormalities of diffuse slowing, hypersynchrony, and loss of alpha rhythm. The condition was reversible after discontinuing the medication. The assayable penicillin was removed from the cerebrospinal fluid slower than from blood so that, at one time, penicillin titer was higher in the spinal fluid than in blood. Massive dosages of penicillin should be used with caution, and renal function should be chekced during therapy.