title: Over-the-counter self-medication leading to intracranial hypertension in a young lady.
abstract: Intracranial hypertension (idiopathic-IIH and secondary) is a potentially treatable condition. Although various factors such as female gender and obesity, certain drugs have been implicated as risk factors for IIH, there remains a lack of clarity in the exact causal-effect relationship. In India, self-medication by obtaining drugs over the counter due to lack of adequate drug regulation and ignorance of the public is a very common practice with a potential for severe adverse effects. We present a case of a young lady who has developed intracranial hypertension possibly due to self-medication with steroids and cyproheptadine, obtained over the counter.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Neurosciences Institute, BGS Global Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ramana Reddy
authors.affiliation: Advanced Neurosciences Institute, BGS Global Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Prashanth
authors.affiliation: Advanced Neurosciences Institute, BGS Global Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Sharat Kumar
authors.affiliation: Advanced Neurosciences Institute, BGS Global Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chandana
authors.affiliation: Advanced Neurosciences Institute, BGS Global Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jadav
keywords: Cyproheptadine; dexamethasone; idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH); intracranial hypertension; steroid withdrawal