Eosinophilic exudative pleural effusion after initiation of tizanidine treatment: a case report

Pain Med. 2003 Mar;4(1):85-90. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-4637.2003.03003.x.

Abstract

In this case report, we present a 42-year-old man with history of chronic low back pain after a work-related injury. The patient failed multiple therapeutic modalities both conservative and interventional, including numerous spinal injections and placement of a spinal cord stimulator. Finally, an intrathecal morphine pump was placed to control his pain in addition to oral pain medications. The course of the treatment included adding a muscle relaxant, tizanidine (Zanaflex), to control spasms in the lower extremities. Six weeks after starting tizanidine, a large pleural effusion was noted incidentally on a computerized tomography scan of the thoracic and lumbar spine. The patient underwent work-up for the pleural effusion; all tests came back negative. Finally, a drug reaction to tizanidine was suspected. The drug was discontinued, and 4 weeks later the pleural effusion resolved.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesics / adverse effects*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Clonidine / adverse effects*
  • Clonidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Eosinophilia*
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Pleural Effusion / chemically induced*
  • Pleural Effusion / pathology

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • tizanidine
  • Clonidine