Apparent complex partial seizures in a bipolar patient after withdrawal of carbamazepine.
A 64-year-old woman with long-standing bipolar illness was treated with carbamazepine and clonazepam with minimal success. Discontinuation of carbamazepine and clonazepam was followed by episodic amnesia, purposeless behavior, déjà vu, and confusion. Although her EEG was normal, the episodes were compatible with complex partial seizures and ceased after carbamazepine and clonazepam were reinstituted. This case raises the question of whether discontinuing carbamazepine and clonazepam can induce complex partial seizures in bipolar patients.
Garbutt
J C
JC
Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine.
Gillette
G M
GM
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*
D002220:Carbamazepine; D002998:Clonazepam