An unusual case of 4-aminopyridine toxicity in a multiple sclerosis patient: epileptic disorder or toxic encephalopathy?
We report the case of a 45-year old female multiple sclerosis patient, who accidentally was overdosed with 4-aminopyridine which resulted in dystonic, choreathetoid type abnormal movements in the four limbs, motoric distress, confusion and opisthotonus. There is little known about 4-aminopyridine toxicity. There are only a few reported cases ranging from mild paresthesias to tonic-clonic seizures. 4-aminopyridine enhances neuronal conduction at neuromuscular synapses and is indicated in the treatment of selected neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis (MS) and myasthenia gravis, among others.
De Cauwer
H
H
Dpt. of Neurology, Klina Regional Hospital, Brasschaat, Belgium. harald.de.cauwer@klina.be
De Wolf
Ph
P
Couvreur
F
F
Mortelmans
L
L
D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects*
D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015761:4-Aminopyridine