title: Symptoms and course of intoxication with mesuximide--a case report.
abstract: We report on a 31-year-old, female patient who presented with somnolence due to an intoxication by the antiepileptic drug, mesuximide (MSM). The serum concentration of its metabolite n-desmethyl-mesuximide (85.7 mg/L) was above the so-called therapeutic range (10-40 mg/L) but below the concentration range that led to an impairment of consciousness in previous cases according to the German SPC (>150 mg/L). The symptoms remitted quickly under hemodialysis. In somnolent patients treated with MSM, the treating physicians should be aware of drug intoxication as a possible etiology. Therefore, the serum concentration should be measured early. Due to the, often, long latency until the results are available, treatment initiation may be necessary based on suspicion.
authors: Bethel Epilepsy Centre, Mara Hospital, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Hoepner
authors: Theodor W
authors: TW
authors: May
authors: Bernhard
authors: B
authors: Rambeck
authors: Helga
authors: H
authors: Ottenottebrock
authors: Rainer
authors: R
authors: Valentin
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Brandt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods; D013388:Succinimides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D013388:Succinimides; C100286:methsuximide