title: Anti-epileptic drugs-induced de novo absence seizures.
abstract: The authors present three patients with de novo absence epilepsy after administration of carbamazepine and vigabatrin. Despite the underlying diseases, the prognosis for drug-induced de novo absence seizure is good because it subsides rapidly after discontinuing the use of the offending drugs. The gamma-aminobutyric acid-transmitted thalamocortical circuitry accounts for a major part of the underlying neurophysiology of the absence epilepsy. Because drug-induced de novo absence seizure is rare, pro-absence drugs can only be considered a promoting factor. The underlying epileptogenecity of the patients or the synergistic effects of the accompanying drugs is required to trigger the de novo absence seizure. The possibility of drug-induced aggravation should be considered whenever an unexpected increase in seizure frequency and/or new seizure types appear following a change in drug treatment. By understanding the underlying mechanism of absence epilepsy, we can avoid the inappropriate use of anticonvulsants in children with epilepsy and prevent drug-induced absence seizures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Chung-Shan S. Road, Taipei, Taiwan
authors.forename: Ming-Tao
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wang-Tso
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Li-Wen
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Yu-Zen
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D020888:Vigabatrin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D020888:Vigabatrin