Some Causes of Noninfectious Meningitis
Type |
Examples |
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Disorders |
Cancer that has spread to the brain from other parts of the body (as can occur in leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, or breast or lung cancer) Rupture of a brain cyst Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) |
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Drugs that suppress the immune system (used to treat autoimmune disorders and inflammation or to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ) |
Azathioprine Cyclosporine Cytosine arabinoside Immune globulin given by vein (intravenously) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, sulindac, and tolmetin |
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Other drugs |
Certain antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, isoniazid, and penicillin Carbamazepine (an antiseizure drug) Phenazopyridine (used to treat urinary symptoms) Ranitidine* (used to treat stomach ulcers) Sulfa drugs, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (an antibiotic) and sulfasalazine (used to treat ulcerative colitis) |
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Substances that are injected into the subarachnoid space† for treatment or diagnosis |
Anesthetics Antibiotics Chemotherapy drugs Radiopaque contrast agents used in imaging tests |
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* Ranitidine (taken by mouth, intravenously, and over the counter) has been removed from the market in the United States and in many other countries because of unacceptable levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a substance that probably causes cancer. |
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† The subarachnoid space contains cerebrospinal fluid and is located between middle and inner layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord (meninges). |
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