title: Seizure exacerbation and status epilepticus related to carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide.
abstract: Over a 3-year period, we encountered 6 adults whose seizure control unexpectedly deteriorated with the occurrence of partial status epilepticus and daily multiple seizures. Analysis of the case histories and subsequent clinical follow-up for 1 1/2 to 3 years disclosed the following evidence that demonstrates the role of carbamazepine-epoxide in the development of the seizure exacerbation: (1) There were high serum carbamazepine-epoxide concentrations while serum carbamazepine concentrations were lower than or the same as baseline levels; (2) all patients were taking drugs that are known to increase serum carbamazepine-epoxide concentrations; (3) status epilepticus failed to respond to intravenous phenytoin loading; (4) seizure exacerbation in all patients was corrected by withholding carbamazepine dose; (5) seizure exacerbation recurred in 1 patient who resumed the same dose of carbamazepine; and (6) there were no prior status epilepticus or daily multiple seizures despite previous toxicities with other antiepileptic drugs in 3 patients. Our experience shows that inconspicuous elevation of carbamazepine-epoxide levels during polytherapy may precipitate a distinct state of drug toxicity characterized by severe exacerbation of seizures. Mental retardation may be a predisposition to this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ruggles
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Cascino
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ahmann
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Weatherford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010672:Phenytoin; D012640:Seizures / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D002220:Carbamazepine; D010672:Phenytoin; C012227:carbamazepine epoxide