[Drug-induced seizures]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2003 Mar 31;165(14):1447-51.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Numerous drugs have been suspected to be associated with the occurrence of epileptic seizures. Our information retrieval, however, shows that drug-induced seizures are relatively rare. The risk of seizure seems to be increased, also in patients who are not predisposed to seizure, when taking clozapine, enflurane, theophylline, foscarnet, ganciclovir, and ritonavir. The risk of seizure is greatest in patients predisposed to seizure by use of conventional antipsychotics, olanzapine, risperidone, bupropion, tricyclic antidepressants/selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, cyclosporin, interferon, corticosteroids, propofol, imipenem, chloroquine, and mefloquine. In case of suspicion of drug-induced seizures, reporting should be made to the Danish Medicines Agency. If the drug has been on the market less than two years, reporting is mandatory.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
  • Epilepsy / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors