Acyclovir Crystalluria: A Rare Secondary Effect of a Common Drug

Abstract

Acyclovir is a highly active antiviral drug that acts against the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Among its secondary effects, we can observe rare cases of crystalluria, which can be associated or not associated to renal failure. We present the case of a healthy lactating 13-month-old baby girl with gingivostomatitis, who 48 hours after the start of treatment with this drug showed a change in the color of her urine, which was associated with the appearance of crystals in the sediment. This finding was associated with the prescription of Acyclovir, because it has been described in the literature, and no other ascribable causes could be found. Crystalluria is a rare adverse effect that has been reported generally in adult immunosuppressed patients. We have only been able to find one case that could be compared to ours, in an immunocompetent pediatric patient in which a momentary treatment was implemented to treat a herpetic infection.

Valacyclovir Non-Oliguric Acute Kidney Injury: a Case Report of 84 Year-Old Female

“…The case presented with gross hematuria and crystalluria was found. 15,16 AKI that occurs after a single oral dose of Valacyclovir is possible as Unsal MA et al, 17 case report in 2018. Higher doses of Valacyclovir may be safe as in Meur YL 18 correspondence followed the use of Valacyclovir 6-8 g/day in 6 cases after renal transplantation for prevention of cytomegalovirus and found that after 3 months, there was no increase in the serum creatinine and crystalluria was not detected.…”