Choreoathetosis as a side effect of gabapentin therapy in severely neurologically impaired patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship of gabapentin therapy with choreoathetotic movements in mentally retarded patients treated with intractable epilepsy.


METHODS
Case reports of 2 institutionalized patients who developed choreoathetosis temporally related to adjunctive therapy with gabapentin at dosages of 1200 to 1800 mg/d.


RESULTS
Both patients experienced resolution of abnormal movements on discontinuation of the therapy. One patient developed recurrent choreiform movements after drug rechallenge.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that, in patients with mental retardation and epilepsy, involuntary movements may either occur as reversible side effects of gabapentin therapy or result from a previously undescribed adverse drug interaction with other antiepileptic agents.
Chudnow
R S
RS
Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
Dewey
R B
RB
Lawson
C R
CR
D000085:Acetates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001264:Athetosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002819:Chorea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin