Barbiturate-induced dyskalaemia in patients with traumatic brain injury patient.

A young man with severe traumatic brain injury and refractory intracranial hypertension was treated with a barbiturate coma. A rare side effect of barbiturates is dyskalaemia. The dyskalaemia presented with acute hypokalaemia that quickly became hyperkalaemia. Both electrolyte disturbances can have serious physiological complications. The cellular cause of the dyskalaemia is not well understood. The correct diagnosis and treatment of barbiturate dyskalaemia is essential in providing care. Clinicians treating patients with barbiturates need to be aware of this rare side effect. Our patient was quickly and correctly treated for the dyskalaemia and suffered no complications related to this side effect. © BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.