The pharmacological treatment of depression in adults with epilepsy.
BACKGROUND
Comorbid mood disorders may affect quality of life in people with epilepsy.


OBJECTIVE
To review available data on the use of antidepressant drugs in epilepsy taking into account major concerns that may be encountered by clinicians, namely pharmacokinetic interactions with antiepileptic medications and seizure aggravation.


RESULTS
Data on pharmacotherapy of depression in epilepsy are limited with no controlled clinical trials investigating efficacy and safety of antidepressants. Data on seizure risk come from psychiatric samples, thus limiting the general applicability to people with epilepsy.


CONCLUSIONS
Antidepressant drug doses need to be used and adjusted according to individual clinical needs. Within the therapeutic range, the incidence of seizures in psychiatric populations is low for most antidepressants.
Mula
Marco
M
Amedeo Avogadro University, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, Section of Neurology, Novara, Italy.
Schmitz
Bettina
B
Sander
Josemir W
JW
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents