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[Seizures during interferon alpha therapy: three cases in dermatology]
E Legroux-Crespel1, S Lafaye, E Mahé
1Service de Dermatologie, Groupe Hospitalier Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris.
Annales De Dermatologie Et De Venereologie
|April 3, 2003
Summary
Interferon alpha, used for mycosis fungoides and melanoma, can cause seizures. Dermatologists should be aware of this rare side effect and assess patients for epilepsy risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Interferon alpha is a treatment for various conditions, including mycosis fungoides and melanoma.
- Seizures are a known but not widely recognized side effect of interferon alpha therapy.
- Dermatologists may not be fully aware of the risk of seizures associated with interferon alpha.
Observation:
- Three male patients treated with interferon alpha for mycosis fungoides and melanoma developed seizures.
- Seizures occurred after 3 weeks to 11 months of treatment.
- No prior history of epilepsy was noted in these patients.
Findings:
- Medical assessments, including brain CT and biological results, suggested interferon alpha as the cause of seizures.
- Discontinuation of interferon alpha led to no seizure recurrence in the observed follow-up periods (3 months to 1 year).
Implications:
- Interferon alpha may lower the epileptogenic threshold, potentially through central nervous system effects.
- Physicians prescribing interferon alpha must inquire about epilepsy history and risk factors.
- Patients should be informed about the potential risk of seizures, a rare but significant side effect.