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3047243 
Journal Article 
Propylene glycol-associated renal toxicity from lorazepam infusion 
Yaucher, NE; Fish, JT; Smith, HW; Wells, JA 
2003 
1 
Pharmacotherapy
ISSN: 0277-0008
EISSN: 1875-9114 
23 
9 
1094-1099 
English 
14524641 
WOS:000185144200003 
OBJECTIVES: Using data from patients who developed elevations in serum creatinine concentrations while receiving continuous-infusion lorazepam, we sought to determine the correlations between the magnitude of serum creatinine concentration rise and each of the following variables: serum propylene glycol level, cumulative lorazepam dose, and duration of lorazepam administration. An additional objective was to identify clinical markers for propylene glycol toxicity.

DESIGN: Retrospective chart review.

SETTING: Medical-surgical intensive care unit and burn unit at a university hospital.

PATIENTS: Eight patients who developed elevations in serum creatinine concentrations while receiving continuous-infusion lorazepam (range 2-28 mg/hr).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean cumulative dose of lorazepam was 4305 mg (range 1200-10,920 mg), and the mean propylene glycol level determined at the time of peak serum creatinine concentration was 1103 microg/ml (range 186-3450 microg/ml). Serum creatinine concentrations increased in all eight patients during lorazepam infusion and decreased in seven within 3 days after stopping infusion. A weak-to-moderate correlation existed between the magnitude of the rise in serum creatinine concentration and propylene glycol level (r=0.53). A weak-to-moderate correlation also was identified between cumulative lorazepam dose and magnitude of serum creatinine concentration rise (r=0.43), and a strong-to-moderate correlation was found between duration of lorazepam infusion and magnitude of serum creatinine concentration rise (r=0.60). Propylene glycol levels were strongly correlated with both serum osmolality and osmol gap.

CONCLUSION: The patients' increased serum creatinine concentrations are likely to have resulted from exposure to propylene glycol as a result of lorazepam infusion. Serum osmolality and osmol gap may be useful markers for propylene glycol toxicity.