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Drug-Induced Seizures in the Elderly

Causative Agents and Optimal Management

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  • Adverse Effects
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Summary

We conducted a review of drugs that were most commonly associated with inducing seizures in the elderly population. The method for determining the risk of these agents includes evaluating the utilisation and the percentage of adverse events in previous studies and case reports. Classes of medications, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants, are extensively reviewed to provide the clinician with treatment options in high risk patients. The risk of seizures secondary to the withdrawal of alcohol (ethanol) and benzodiazepines, and methods employed to minimise this risk are discussed. In addition, the management of patients with drug-induced seizures is delineated.

Drug-induced seizures are a potentially serious adverse effect. It is important that clinicians are aware of which classes of medications and individual medications are associated with reducing seizure threshold.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA

    Kari L. Franson, Donald P. Hay, George T. Grossberg, Daniel M. Chatel & Peggy A. Szwabo

  2. Pacific Neuropsychiatric Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Vernon Neppe

  3. Division of Pharmacy Practice, Saint Louis College of Pharmacy, St Louis, Missouri, USA

    Kari L. Franson & Wafa Y. Dahdal

  4. Department of Neurology, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA

    Waqar U. Mirza & Suresh Kotegal

Authors
  1. Kari L. Franson
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  2. Donald P. Hay
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  3. Vernon Neppe
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  4. Wafa Y. Dahdal
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  5. Waqar U. Mirza
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  6. George T. Grossberg
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  8. Peggy A. Szwabo
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Franson, K.L., Hay, D.P., Neppe, V. et al. Drug-Induced Seizures in the Elderly. Drugs & Aging 7, 38–48 (1995). https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-199507010-00005

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