BACKGROUND Nafamostat mesylate (NM) may prove to be one of the key drugs effective against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) because of its anti-viral properties and the potential to manage coagulopathy.… Click to show full abstract
BACKGROUND Nafamostat mesylate (NM) may prove to be one of the key drugs effective against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) because of its anti-viral properties and the potential to manage coagulopathy. However, NM tends to increase serum potassium levels. CASE SUMMARY We observed hyperkalemia immediately after NM administration (200 mg/d) in four consecutive patients who were admitted to the Kanazawa University Hospital with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Urinary potassium excretion decreased after NM administration in three patients who underwent urinalysis. CONCLUSION NM is likely to produce hyperkalemia in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor serum potassium values closely after NM initiation in COVID-19 patients who need respiratory support.
               
Click one of the above tabs to view related content.