[Epileptic seizures and vardenafil].
BACKGROUND
Epileptic seizures complicating treatment with selective inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5 are scarcely reported.


METHODS
A previously non-epileptic 78-year-old patient presented with a partial epileptic seizure following oral intake, for the second time, of 10mg of vardenafil (Levitra). The brain MRI failed to show any preexisting lesion. To our knowledge, only 2 cases of generalized tonic-clonic seizures induced by sildenafil (Viagra) use have been reported. In our patient, the seizure could be due to the epileptogenic potential of the drug or to its vascular complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies are needed to elucidate the association of phosphodiesterase inhibitors use and epileptic seizures.
Koussa
S
S
Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu de France, Université Saint Joseph, Beyrouth, Liban. koussalam@hotmail.com
Hage Chahine
S
S
Tohmé
A
A
Riachi
M
M
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013450:Sulfones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride
D007093:Imidazoles; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D013450:Sulfones; D014227:Triazines; D002220:Carbamazepine; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride