title: Drug-induced seizures in the elderly. Causative agents and optimal management.
abstract: We conducted a review of drugs that were most commonly associated with inducing seizures in the elderly population. The method for determining the risk of these agents includes evaluating the utilisation and the percentage of adverse events in previous studies and case reports. Classes of medications, such as anti-psychotics and antidepressants, are extensively reviewed to provide the clinician with treatment options in high risk patients. The risk of seizures secondary to the withdrawal of alcohol (ethanol) and benzodiazepines, and methods employed to minimise the risk are discussed. In addition, the management of patients with drug-induced seizures is delineated. Drug-induced seizures are a potentially serious adverse effect. It is important that clinicians are aware of which classes of medications and individual medications are associated with reducing seizure threshold.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Franson
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Neppe
authors.forename: W Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Dahdal
authors.forename: W U
authors.initials: WU
authors.lastname: Mirza
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Grossberg
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Chatel
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Szwabo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kotegal
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007769:Lactams; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D013806:Theophylline / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D007769:Lactams; D007980:Levodopa; D013806:Theophylline