CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE-INDUCED WATER-INTOXICATION IN A WOMAN WITH SJOGRENS-SYNDROME

Water intoxication is a well described complication of high dose intra venous (iv) cyclophosphamide therapy combined with forced hydration. L ess well known is that water intoxication can develop even after low d ose iv cyclophosphamide. To draw attention to this potentially life th reatening complication, we describe a woman who developed acute water intoxication after treatment with low dose iv cyclophosphamide for a s ensory neuropathy secondary to Sjogren's syndrome. Rheumatologists sho uld be aware of this serious adverse effect of iv cyclophosphamide bec ause this drug is being used increasingly for treatment of a variety o f rheumatological diseases. The pathogenesis, clinical characteristics , treatment, and methods for prevention of cyclophosphamide induced wa ter intoxication are discussed.