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Catatonia induced by levetiracetam
Marie-Josée Chouinard1, Dang-Khoa Nguyen, Jean-François Clément
1Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, CHUM Hôpital Notre Dame, 1560 rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal (Québec), Canada H2L 4M1.
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|October 27, 2005
Summary
Levetiracetam, an epilepsy drug, can cause behavioral side effects. This case report details a rare instance of catatonia, a serious psychiatric event, linked to levetiracetam use.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Levetiracetam (Keppra) is an antiepileptic drug used for partial onset seizures.
- While generally well-tolerated, it can cause behavioral side effects ranging from mild to severe.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old woman developed catatonia after starting levetiracetam for epilepsy treatment.
- Catatonia is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by motor, behavioral, and autonomic disturbances.
Findings:
- This is the first reported case of catatonia potentially induced by levetiracetam.
- The patient's symptoms resolved after discontinuing the medication.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for rare but serious psychiatric adverse events with levetiracetam.
- It underscores the importance of considering drug-induced catatonia in epilepsy patients presenting with such symptoms.
- Differential diagnosis of medical catatonia can be challenging, especially when drug-induced causes are suspected.