Reported Case of Paracetamol and Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)-Induced Seizures in a Patient with HIV Infection

Commonly available analgesics, such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are used widely with few or no adverse events by most individuals. However, some adverse events have been observed following the use of these drugs. This paper reports a case of paracetamol and NSAID-induced seizures in a patient with the human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). These seizures occurred at different times, first with paracetamol and then diclofenac (a NSAID). She was concurrently on anti-retroviral drugs and antibiotics. We were unable to readily explain this unusual adverse event as most documented paracetamol-related adverse events are either immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated or due to direct paracetamol-induced hepatic necrosis following an overdose. This case is a probable drug-drug interaction not supported by existing literature, and it is possible that the background HIV infection may have a role to play.