Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• Abdominal painSevere pain in the abdomen is the most common symptom of AIP. It can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and constipation.Â
• Neurological symptomsThese can include muscle weakness, paralysis, and tingling or numbness. AIP can also cause peripheral neuropathy, which damages the nerves that connect to muscles.Â
• Psychiatric symptomsThese can include anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Other symptoms include irritability, emotional sensitivity, and hallucinations.Â
• Urinary symptoms Urine may be dark or reddish-brown in color.Â
• Other symptomsThese can include tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), hypertension (increased blood pressure), and behavioral changes.Â

AIP attacks can last for several days and repeat over weeks. They can be triggered by a number of factors, including: 

• Medications, such as antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives, seizure medications, anesthetics, and HIV treatment drugs
• Weight loss diets
• Surgery
• Alcohol
• Infections
• Stress

Most people who inherit the gene for AIP don’t develop symptoms. However, experts recommend that relatives of someone with AIP get tested to determine if they have the genetic trait.