Serial epilepsy caused by levodopa/carbidopa administration in two patients on hemodialysis.
Two patients with similar clinical features are presented: both patients had chronic renal failure, on hemodialysis for many years but recently begun on a high-flux dialyzer; both had been receiving a carbidopa/levodopa preparation; and both had the onset of hallucinosis and recurrent seizures, which were refractory to anticonvulsants. The first patient died without a diagnosis; the second patient had a dramatic recovery following the administration of vitamin B6. Neither patient was considered to have a renal state sufficiently severe enough to explain their presentation.
Bamford
C R
CR
Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724.
Highkin
D J
DJ
Sandyk
R
R
Travis
T
T
Lee
S
S
Torres
F
F
Auerbach
G
G
D000368:Aged; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis
D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa