Colistin-induced Bartter-like Syndrome: Ponder before Treatment!

Bartter-like syndrome (BLS) is a constellation of biochemical abnormalities which include metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia with normal kidney function. BLS is a very rare syndrome and can be induced by certain diseases, antibiotics, diuretics, and antineoplastic drugs. Colistin is a polymicrobial bactericidal drug and currently re-emerged as the only salvation therapy against multidrug resistant bacilli especially in critically ill patients at intensive care units. Only an anecdotal case report of colistin-induced Bartter-like syndrome has been reported. We here report a case series of four critically ill patients who were on treatment with colistin and presented with serious metabolic disturbances. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Kumari A, Gupta P, Verma H, Kumar A, Thakur P, Sharma K. Colistin-induced Bartter-like Syndrome: Ponder before Treatment! Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(2):239–243.