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Seizure activity associated with antipsychotic therapy
J A Cold1, B G Wells, J H Froemming
1University of Tennessee.
DICP : the Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|June 1, 1990
Summary
Antipsychotic medications can cause seizures in 1% of patients. However, a history of seizures should not prevent using these drugs for psychosis, especially when choosing less epileptogenic options.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- 1% of patients on antipsychotics experience seizures.
- 7% of epilepsy patients require antipsychotics for psychosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety of antipsychotic use in patients with a history of seizures.
- To identify risk factors for antipsychotic-induced seizures.
- To provide guidelines for managing these patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on antipsychotic effects on seizure threshold.
- Analysis of predisposing and risk factors for seizures.
- Development of clinical guidelines.
Main Results:
- Antipsychotic-induced seizures occur in approximately 1% of users.
- Epileptic patients with psychosis necessitate antipsychotic treatment in about 7% of cases.
- Different antipsychotics vary in their impact on seizure threshold.
Conclusions:
- A history of antipsychotic-induced seizures should not contraindicate their use in psychotic patients.
- Selection of the least epileptogenic antipsychotic is crucial.
- Guidelines are presented for safe antipsychotic use in patients with seizure history.