Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Seizures pp 147–165Cite as

Medication-Associated Seizures

  • Chapter

  • 335 Accesses

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCP))

Abstract

Seizures are an infrequent complication of drug administration. For example, medication-associated seizures were reported in 0.08% of patients in the Boston Collaborative Surveillance Program in which 32,812 consecutive patients were monitored for medication side effects (1). Nevertheless, patients with spontaneous or recurrent seizures are encountered regularly by clinicians, and these individuals are often taking medications that have been reported to cause seizures. The Physicians’ Desk Reference lists seizures as a potential adverse effect for approx. 250 preparations. Establishing a causal relationship between seizures and a given medication is often difficult, however.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Porter J, Jick H. Drug-induced anaphylaxis, convulsions, deafness, and extrapyramidal symptoms. Lancet 1977; 1: 587–588.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hauser WA, Hesdorffer DC. Epilepsy: Frequency, Causes and Consequences. New York: Demos, 1990: 11.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rosenstein DL, Nelson JC, Jacobs SC. Seizures associated with antidepressants: a review. J Clin Psychiatry 1993; 54: 289–299.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Messing RO, Closson RG, Simon RP. Drug-induced seizures: a 10-year experience. Neurology 1984; 34: 1582–1586.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Garcia PA, Alldredge BK. Drug-induced seizures. Neurol Clin 1994; 12: 85–99.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wallace KL. Antibiotic-induced convulsions. Crit Care Clin 1997; 13: 741–762.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Fujimoto M, Munakata M, Akaike N. Dual mechanisms of GABAA response inhibition by beta-lactam antibiotics in the pyramidal neurones of the rat cerebral cortex. Br J Pharmacol 1995; 116: 3014–3020.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Paronis CA, Bergman J. Apparent pA2 values of benzodiazepine antagonists and partial agonists in monkeys. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1999; 290: 1222–1229.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Jacobson MA. Review of the toxicities of foscarnet. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 1992; 5: S11 - S17.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Griffin MR, Ray WA, Mortimer EA, Fenichel GM, Schaffner W. Risk of seizures and encephalopathy after immunization with the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine. JAMA 1990; 263: 1641–1645.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Currie TT, Hayward NJ, Westlake G, Williams J. Epilepsy in cardiopulmonary bypass patients receiving large intravenous doses of penicillin. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1971; 62: 1–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Dobell AR, Wyant JD, Seamans KB, Gloor P. Penicillin epilepsy. Studies on the blood-brain barrier during cardiopulmonary bypass. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1966; 52: 469–475.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Seamans KB, Gloor P, Dobell RAR, Wyant JD. Penicillin-induced seizures during cardiopulmonary bypass. A clinical and electroencephalographic study. N Engl J Med 1968; 278: 861–868.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Gutnick MJ, Van Duijn H, Citri N. Relative convulsant potencies of structural analogues of penicillin. Brain Res 1976; 114: 139–143.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Walker AE. Convulsive factor in commercial penicillin Arch Surg 1945; 50: 69–73.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Nicholls PJ. Neurotoxicity of penicillin. JAntimicrob Chemother 1980; 6: 161–165.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Fossieck B Jr, Parker RH. Neurotoxicity during intravenous infusion of penicillin. A review. J Clin Pharmacol 1974; 14: 504–512.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Edwards WM, Kellsey DC. Toxicity of intrathecal penicillin. US Armed Forces Med J 1950; 1: 806–811.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Schliamser SE, Cars O, Norrby SR. Neurotoxicity of beta-lactam antibiotics: predisposing factors and pathogenesis. JAntimicrob Chemother 1991; 27: 405–425.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Barrons RW, Murray KM, Richey RM. Populations at risk for penicillin-induced seizures. Ann Pharmacother 1992; 26: 26–29.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Day IP, Goudie J, Nishiki K, Williams PD. Correlation between in vitro and in vivo models of proconvulsive activity with the carbapenem antibiotics, biapenem, imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem. Toxicol Lett 1995; 76: 239–243.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. de Sarro A, Imperatore C, Mastroeni P, de Sarro G. Comparative convulsant potencies of two carbapenem derivatives in C57 and DBA/2 mice. J Pharm Pharmacol 1995; 47: 292–296.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Tsuji A, Sato H, Kume Y, etal Inhibitory effects of quinolone antibacterial agents on gamma-aminobutyric acid binding to receptor sites in rat brain membranes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1988; 32: 190–194.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Akahane K, Sekiguchi M, Une T, Osada Y. Structure-epileptogenicity relationship of quinolones with special reference to their interaction with gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor sites. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1989; 33: 1704–1708.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Arcieri GM, Becker N, Esposito B, et al. Safety of intravenous ciprofloxacin. A review. Am J Med 1989; 87: 92S - 97S.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Polk RE. Drug-drug interactions with ciprofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones. Am J Med 1989; 87: 76S - 81S.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Segev S, Rehavi M, Rubinstein E. Quinolones, theophylline, and diclofenac interactions with the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1988; 32: 1624–1626.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Halliwell RF, Davey PG, Lambert JJ. Antagonism of GABAA receptors by 4quinolones. J Antimicrob Chemother 1993; 31: 457–462.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Sievers ML, Cynamon MH, Bittker TE. Intentional isoniazid overdosage among southwestern American Indians. Am J Psychiatry 1975; 132: 662–665.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Brown CV. Acute isoniazid poisoning. Am Rev Respir Dis 1972; 105: 206–216.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Gilhotra R, Malik SK, Singh S, Sharma BK. Acute isoniazid toxicity-report of 2 cases and review of literature. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1987; 25: 259–261.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Sievers ML, Herrier RN. Treatment of acute isoniazid toxicity. Am J Hosp Pharm 1975; 32: 202–206.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Miller J, Robinson A, Percy AK. Acute isoniazid poisoning in childhood. Am J Dis Child 1980; 134: 290–292.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Wood ER. Isoniazid toxicity. Pyridoxine controlled seizures in a dialysis patient. J Kans Med Soc 1981; 82: 551–552.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Wason S, Lacouture PG, Lovejoy FH Jr. Single high-dose pyridoxine treatment for isoniazid overdose. JAMA 1981; 246: 1102–1104.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Santucci KA, Shah BR, Linakis JG. Acute isoniazid exposures and antidote availability. Pediatr Emerg Care 1999; 15: 99–101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Terman DS, Teitelbaum DT. Isoniazid self-poisoning. Neurology 1970; 20: 299–304.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Balfour HH. Acyclovir. In: Peterson PK, Verhoef J (eds.), The Antimicrobial Agents Annual, 3rd ed. Amsterdam- Elsevier Science, 1988: 349.

    Google Scholar 

  39. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases: The status of acellular pertussis vaccines: current perspective. Pediatrics 1991; 88: 401–405.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Blumenreich MS, Woodcock TM, Sherrill EJ, et al. A phase I trial of chlorambucil administered in short pulses in patients with advanced malignancies. Cancer Invest 1988; 6: 371–375.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Vassal G, Deroussent A, Hartmann O, et al. Dose-dependent neurotoxicity of high-dose busulfan in children: a clinical and pharmacological study. Cancer Res 1990; 50: 6203–6207.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Wijdicks EF, Plevak DJ, Wiesner RH, Steers JL. Causes and outcome of seizures in liver transplant recipients. Neurology 1996; 47: 1523–1525.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Thistlethwaite JR Jr, Stuart JK, Mayes JT, et al. Complications and monitoring of OKT3 therapy. Am J Kidney Dis 1988; 11: 112–119.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Shakil AO, Di Bisceglie AM, Hoofnagle JH. Seizures during alpha interferon therapy (see comments). J Hepatol 1996; 24: 48–51.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Munschauer FE III, Kinkel RP. Managing side effects of interferon-beta in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Clin Ther 1997; 19: 883–893.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Physicians Desk Reference. Montvale: Medical Economics Company, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Cohen A. Accidental overdose of tocainide successfully treated. Angiology 1987; 38: 614.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Jequier P, Jones R, Mackintosh A. Letter: Fatal mexiletine overdose. Lancet 1976; 1: 429.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Douglas EF, White PT, Nelson JW. Three per second spike-wave in digitalis toxicity. Report of a case. Arch Neurol 1971; 25: 373–375.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Johnson N, Martin ND, Strathdee G. Epileptiform convulsion with intravenous disopyramide [letter]. Lancet 1978; 2: 848.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Olson KR, Benowitz NL, Woo OF, Pond SM. Theophylline overdose: acute single ingestion versus chronic repeated overmedication. Am J Emerg Med 1985; 3: 386–394.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Aitken ML, Martin TR. Life-threatening theophylline toxicity is not predictable by serum levels. Chest 1987; 91: 10–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Alldredge BK, Lowenstein DH, Simon RP. Seizures associated with recreational drug abuse. Neurology 1989; 39: 1037–1039.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Osuide G, Wambebe C, Ngur D. Studies on the pharmacology of d-amphetamine on maximal electroconvulsive seizure in young chicks. Psychopharmacology 1983; 81: 119–121.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Lake CR, Gallant S, Masson E, Miller R. Adverse drug effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine• a review of 142 case reports. Am J Med 1990; 89: 195–208.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Ojemann LM, Baugh-Bookman C, Dudley DL. Effect of psychotropic medications on seizure control in patients with epilepsy. Neurology 1987; 37: 1525–1527.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Alldredge BK. Seizure risk associated with psychotropic drugs: clinical and pharmacokinetic considerations. Neurology 1999; 53: S68 - S75.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Starkey IR, Lawson AA. Poisoning with tricyclic and related antidepressants-a ten-year review. Q J Med 1980; 49: 33–49.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Biggs JT, Spiker DG, Petit JM, Ziegler VE. Tricyclic antidepressant overdose: incidence of symptoms. JAMA 1977; 238: 135–138.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Ellison DW, Pentel PR. Clinical features and consequences of seizures due to cyclic antidepressant overdose. Am J Emerg Med 1989; 7: 5–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Boehnert MT, Lovejoy FH Jr. Value of the QRS duration versus the serum drug level in predicting seizures and ventricular arrhythmias after an acute overdose of tricyclic antidepressants. N Engl J Med 1985; 313: 47479.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Wedin GP, Oderda GM, Klein-Schwartz W, Gorman RL. Relative toxicity of cyclic antidepressants. Ann Emerg Med 1986; 15: 797–804.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Phillips S, Brent J, Kulig K, Heiligenstein J, Birkett M. Fluoxetine versus tricyclic antidepressants: a prospective multicenter study of antidepressant drug overdoses. The Antidepressant Study Group. J Emerg Med 1997; 15: 439–445.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Favale E, Rubino V, Mainardi P, Lunardi G, Albano C. Anticonvulsant effect of fluoxetine in humans. Neurology 1995; 45: 1926–1927.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Davidson J. Seizures and bupropion: a review. J Clin Psychiatry 1989; 50: 256–261.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Skowron DM, Stimmel GL. Antidepressants and the risk of seizures. Pharmacotherapy 1992; 12: 18–22.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Preskorn SH, Fast GA. Tricyclic antidepressant-induced seizures and plasma drug concentration. J Clin Psychiatry 1992; 53: 160–162.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Cann HM, Verhulst HL. Accidental ingestion and overdosage involving psychopharmacologic drugs. N Engl J Med 1960; 263: 719–724.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Acri AA, Henretig FM. Effects of risperidone in overdose. Am J Emerg Med 1998; 16: 498–501.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Remick RA, Fine SH. Antipsychotic drugs and seizures. J Clin Psychiatry 1979; 40: 78–80.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Devinsky O, Honigfeld G, Patin J. Clozapine-related seizures. Neurology 1991; 41: 369–371.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Simard M, Gumbiner B, Lee A, Lewis H, Norman D. Lithium carbonate intoxication. A case report and review of the literature. Arch Intern Med 1989; 149: 36–46.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Massey EW, Folger WN. Seizures activated by therapeutic levels of lithium carbonate. South Med J 1984; 77: 1173–1175.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Helmchen H, Kanowski S. EEG changes under Lithium (Li) treatment. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 1971; 30: 269.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Elger CE, Bauer J, Scherrmann J, Widman G. Aggravation of focal epileptic seizures by antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia 1998; 39: S15 - S18.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Guerrini R, Belmonte A, Genton P. Antiepileptic drug-induced worsening of seizures in children. Epilepsia 1998; 39: S2 - S10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Berkovic SF. Aggravation of generalized epilepsies. Epilepsia 1998; 39: S11 - S14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Buckman K, Claiborne K, de Guzman M, Walberg CB, Haywood LJ. Lidocaine efficacy and toxicity assessed by a new, rapid method. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1980; 28: 177–181.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Pelter MA, Vollmer TA, Blum RL. Seizure-like reaction associated with subcutaneous lidocaine injection [letter]. Clin Pharm 1989; 8: 767–768.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Sundaram MB. Seizures after intraurethral instillation of lidocaine. CMAJ. 1987; 137: 219–220.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Pascual J, Sedano MJ, Polo JM, Berciano J. Intravenous lidocaine for status epilepticus. Epilepsia 1988; 29: 584–589.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Naguib M, Magboul MM, Samarkandi AH, Attia M. Adverse effects and drug interactions associated with local and regional anaesthesia. Drug Saf 1998; 18: 221–250.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Quail AW. Modern inhalational anaesthetic agents. A review of halothane, isoflurane and enflurane. Med J Aust 1989; 150: 95–102.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Ashton D. Diazepam, pentobarbital and D-etomidate produced increases in bicuculline seizure threshold; selective antagonism by RO15–1788, picrotoxin and (+/—)-DMBB. Eur J Pharmacol 1983; 94: 319–325.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Gancher S, Laxer KD, Krieger W. Activation of epileptogenic activity by etomidate. Anesthesiology 1984; 61: 616–618.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Kaiko RF, Foley KM, Grabinski PY, et al. Central nervous system excitatory effects of meperidine in cancer patients. Ann Neurol 1983; 13: 180–185.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Mather LE, Tucker GT. Systemic availability of orally administered meperidine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1976; 20: 535–540.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Tobias JD. Seizure after overdose of tramadol. South Med J 1997; 90: 826–827.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Kahn LH, Alderfer RJ, Graham DJ. Seizures reported with tramadol [letter]. JAMA 1997; 278: 1661.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Spiller HA, Gorman SE, Villalobos D, et al. Prospective multicenter evaluation of tramadol exposure. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1997; 35: 361–364.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Spivey WH. Flumazenil and seizures: analysis of 43 cases. Clin Ther 1992; 14: 292–305.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Nelson M, Bartlett RJ, Lamb JT. Seizures after intravenous contrast media for cranial computed tomography. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1989; 52: 1170–1175.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Paul A. Garcia MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Brian K. Alldredge PharmD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

    Norman Delanty MB, FRCPI (Consultant Neurologist) (Consultant Neurologist)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2002 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Garcia, P.A., Alldredge, B.K. (2002). Medication-Associated Seizures. In: Delanty, N. (eds) Seizures. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-094-0_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-094-0_9

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-207-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-094-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation