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Effect of levomepromazine on EEG and on clinical side effects after lumbar myelography with metrizamide
Abstract:
In patients with lumbago-sciatica levomepromazine is a potent supplement to analgetics in pain treatment. The hypothesis that neuroleptics increase the risk of epileptic seizures after metrizamide myelography was not confirmed in a series of 77 patients, 26 with and 51 without levomepromazine medication, before and after lumbar metrizamide myelography. No differences existed between the groups with regard to the appearance of EEG abnormalities such as slow waves or spikes. Mild side effects were more frequent in the levomepromazine group, except nausea and vomiting. Lumbar metrizamide epidurography in 30 patients did not cause any abnormal EEG.
Insights
Levomepromazine, a neuroleptic, did not increase seizure risk after metrizamide myelography in sciatica patients. While mild side effects were noted, EEG abnormalities were similar between groups, suggesting safety.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Levomepromazine is used as an analgesic supplement for lumbago-sciatica.
- Neuroleptics are hypothesized to increase seizure risk following metrizamide myelography.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether levomepromazine medication increases the risk of epileptic seizures after metrizamide myelography.
- To evaluate the safety of levomepromazine in patients undergoing lumbar metrizamide myelography.
Main Methods:
- A series of 77 patients were studied, with 26 receiving levomepromazine and 51 not.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities were monitored before and after lumbar metrizamide myelography.
- Lumbar metrizamide epidurography was performed in 30 patients to assess EEG changes.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in EEG abnormalities (slow waves or spikes) was observed between patients with and without levomepromazine.
- Mild side effects were more frequent in the levomepromazine group, excluding nausea and vomiting.
- Lumbar metrizamide epidurography did not induce any abnormal EEG findings in 30 patients.
Conclusions:
- Levomepromazine does not appear to increase the risk of epileptic seizures following metrizamide myelography.
- Levomepromazine is a safe adjunct to analgesics for pain management in lumbago-sciatica patients.
- Metrizamide myelography and epidurography are safe procedures with regard to EEG changes.