Is primidone the drug of choice for epileptic patients with QT-prolongation? A comprehensive analysis of literature.
Sudden unexplained/unexpected death (SUDEP) in epilepsy is a major cause of death accounting for 7-17% of the mortality among epileptic patients. Prolongation of QT-interval has been issued as a major mechanism in SUDEP since it is associated with fatal cardiac arrhythmias. This condition may be further precipitated by anti-epileptic treatment. Despite thorough literature research, we did not find any reports suggesting that primidone is responsible for QT-prolongation. On the contrary, all the retrieved reports addressed that the drug shortened QT-interval and corrected signs and symptoms of the underlying disease.
Christidis
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Section of Public Health, Panhellenic Association for Continual Medical Research (PACMeR), Thoma Pashidi 31, TK 45445 Ioannina, Athens, Greece. pacmer_science@yahoo.com
Kalogerakis
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Chan
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Mauri
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Alexiou
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Terzoudi
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A
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011324:Primidone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011324:Primidone