Worsening of Epileptic Seizures and Epilepsies due to Antiepileptic Drugs – is it Possible?

Česká verzia

Authors: MUDr. Hana Ošlejšková
Authors place of work: Klinika dětské neurologie LF MU a FN Brno
Published in the journal: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2007; 70/103(2): 137-142
Category: Review Article

Summary

Antiepileptic drugs may paradoxically aggravate epileptic seizures and epilepsies. Predictable worsening due to an antiepileptic drug arises in the so-called „selective syndrome or seizure – specific aggravation“ or inverse pharmacodynamic effects. Absences and myoclonic seizures are the most risky. In idiopathic generalized and focal epilepsies, carbamazepine, vigabatrin, tiagabine, gabapentin and phenytoin aggravate absences and myoclonias. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is worsened with carbamezepine, phenytoin and, quite exceptionally, with lamotrigine. Benign rolandic epilepsy may change into the so-called “atypical form” due to carbamazepine with the increasing number of absences, by provoking negative myoclonus and with the evolution of EEG epileptiform abnormity into electrical status epilepticus in sleep. From symptomatic generalized epilepsies in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, carbamazepine worsens atypical absences but it can improve tonic seizures, on the other hand, benzodiazepines and phenobarbital provoke tonic seizures (even in West´s syndrome). Lamotrigine deteriorates the course of severe Dravet myoclonic epilepsy.

To solve the worsening of seizures after applying an antiepileptic drug, its doses should be either reduced or discontinued and substituted with a new medicament. The best prevention is the correct diagnosis of epilepsy and precise classification of epileptic seizures and epilepsies.

Key words:
Therapy for epilepsy, antiepileptics, epileptic seizure, epileptic syndrome, worsening of seizures, undesirable effects, inverse pharmacodynamic effect of antiepileptics, tolerance

Zdroje

1. Sazger M, Bourgeois BFD. Aggravation of epilepsy by antiepileptic drugs. Pediatric Neurology 2005; 33(4): 227-34.

2. Guerrini R, Belmonte A, Genton P. Antiepileptic drug-induced worsening of seizures in children. Epilepsia 1998; 39(Suppl 3): S2-10.

3. Egg-Olofsson O, Lindskog U. Acute intoxication with valproate. Lencet 1982; 8284: 1306.

4. Sannita WG. Valproate acute administration, EEG epileptic abnormalities, and ammonemia. Neurology 1992; 42: 2003-5.

5. Bauer J. Seizure-inducing effects of antiepileptic drugs: a review. Acta Scand 1996; 94: 367-77.

6. Tassinari CA, Dravet C, Roger J. Tonic status epilepticus precipitated by intravenous benzodiazepine in five patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrom. Epilepsia 1972; 13: 421-35.

7. Guerrini R, Belmonte A, Strumia S, Hirsch E. Exacerbation of epileptic negative myoclonus by carbamazepine or phenobarbital in children with atypical benign rolandic epilepsy. Epilepsia 1995; 36(Suppl 3): S65.

8. Genton P, Gelisse P, Thomas P, Dravet C. Do carbamazepine ans phenytoin aggravate juvenile myoclonic epilepsy? Neurology 2000; 55(8):1106-9.

9. Genton P. When antiepileptic drugs aggravate epilepsy. Brain Dev 2000; 22(2): 75-80.

10. Shields WD, Saslow E. Myoclonic, atonic and absence seizures following institution of carbamazepine therapy in chldren. Neurology 1983; 33: 1487-9.

11. Berkovic SF. Aggravation of generalized epilepsies. Epilepsia 1998; 39(Suppl 3): S11-S4.

12. Fejeman N, De Blasi AM. Status epilepticus of benign partial epilepsies in children: report of two cases. Epilepsia 1987; 28: 351-5.

13. Johnsen SD, Tarby TJ, Sidell AD. Carbamazepine-induced seizures. Ann Neurol 1984; 6: 392-3.

14. Dulac O, Chiron C. Strategy of AED Treatment in Children. In: 3rd European Congress of Epileptology; 1998 May 24-28; Warsaw, Poland. Abstract 62.

15. Vossler DG. Exacerbation of Seizures in Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome by Gabapentin. Neurology 1996; 46: 852-3.

16. Fromm GH. Gabapentin: discussion. Epilepsia 1994; 35(Suppl 5): S77-S80.

17. Chiron C, Dulac O, Beaumont D. Therapeutic Trial of Vigabatrin in Refractory Infantile Spasms. J Child Neurol 1991; 6(Suppl 2): S52-9.

18. Guerrini R, Dravet C, Genton P, Belmonte A, Kaminska A, Dulac O. Lamotrigine and seizure aggravation in severe myoclonic epilepsy. Epilepsia 1998; 39(5): 508-12.

19. Lamotrigine for adults and children: new indication. A noteworthy improvement in the assessment file [editorial]. Prescrire Int 1999; 8(41): 80-2.

20. Janszky J, Rasonyi G, Halasz P, Olajos S, Perenyi J, Szucs A, Debreczeni T. Disabling erratic myoclonus during lamotrigine therapy with high serum level - report of two cases. Clin Neuropharmacol 2000; 23(2): 86-9.

21. Biraben A, Allain H, Scarabin JM, Schück, Edan G. Exacerbation of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy with lamotrigin. Neurology 2000 Dec; 55(1 of 2).

22. Crespel A, Genton P, Berramdane M, Coubes P, Monicard C, Baldy-Moulinier M et al. Lamotrigine associated with exacerbation or de novo myoclonus in idiopatic generalized epilepsies. Neurology 2005; 65(5): 762-4.

23. Chaves J, Sander JW. Seizure aggravation in idiopatic generalized epilepsies. Epilepsia 2005; 46(Suppl 9):133-139.

24. Parker AP, Agothonikou A, Robinson RO, Panayiotopoulos CP. Inappropriate use of carbamazepin and vigabatrin in typical absence seizures. Dev med Child Neurol 1998; 40: 517-9.

25. Gayatri NA, Livingston JH. Aggravation of epilepsy by anti-epileptic drugs. Dev Med Chil Neurol 2006; 48(5):394-8.

26. Thomas P, Valton L, Genton P. Absence and myoclonic status epilepticus precipitated by antiepileptic drugs in idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Brain 2006; 129: 1281-92.

27. Wallengren C, Li S, Morris MJ, Jupp B, O’Brien TJ. Aggravation of absence seizures by carbamazepine in a genetic rat model does not induceneuronal c-Fos acctivation. Clin Neuropharmacol 2005; 28(2): 60-5.

28. Carter-Snead O, Hosey LC. Exacerbation of seizures in children by carbamazepine. New Engl J Med 1985; 313: 916-21.

29. Lerentz de Haas AM, Kullman M. Ethosuximid and Grand Mal. Epilepsia 1964; 5: 90-6.

30. Wakai S, Ito N, Sucoka H, Kawamoto MYM, Hayasaka H, Chiba S. Severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy and carbamazepine. Eur J Pediatr 1996; 155: 724.

31. Otani K, Tagawa T, Futagi Y, Okamoto N, Yabuuchi H. Induced microseizures in West syndrome. Brain Dev 1991; 13:196-199.

32. Vossler DG. Exacerbation of seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome by gabapentin. Neurology 1996; 46: 852-3.

33. Cerminara C, Montanaro ML, Curatolo P, Seri S. Lamotrigine-induced seizure aggravation and negative myoclonus in idiopathic rolandic epilepsy. Neurology 2004; 63 (2): 373-5.

34. Aicardi J, Chevrie JJ. Atypical benign partial epilepsy of childhood. Dev Med Child Neurol 1982; 24: 281-92.

35. Parmeggiani L, Seri S, Bonanni P, Guerrini R. Electrophysiological characterization of spontaneus and carbamazepine-induced epileptic negative myoclonus in benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes. Clin Neuropharmacol 2004; 115(1): 50-8.

36. Elger C, Bauer J, Scherrmann J, Widman G. Aggravation of focal epilepsies by antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia 1998; 39(Suppl 3): S15-8.

37. Lortie A, Chiron C, Mumford J, Dulac O. The potential for increasing seizure frequency, relapse, and apperance of new seizure types with vigabatrin. Neurology 1993; 43(Suppl 5): S24-7.

38. Marescaux C, Hirsch E, Finck S, Marquet P, Schlumberger E, Sellal F et al. Landau-Kleffner syndrome: a pharmacological study of 5 caess. Epilepsia 1990; 31: 768-77.