DRUG-INDUCED SEIZURES DURING TREATMENT OR AFTER WITHDRAWAL (ANALYSIS OF 70 CASE-REPORTS)

During a five year period (1988-1992) 70 cases of seizures were collec ted by the Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Center of Clermont-Ferrand (3,58 % of fetal collected cases). 31 cases (22 M and 9 F) occurred a fter a drug withdrawal Benzodiazepines - either alone or in associatio n - were the most often involved. Mean age was 48,8+/-2,6 years in thi s group and additional factors (alcohol abuse and/or association of dr ugs that lower the seizure threshold) were associated in 26 cases. 39 cases (14 M and 25 F) occurred on the course of various treatments. Th e most frequently involved drugs were neuropsychiatric, antiinfectious (especially beta-lactam antibiotics, fluoroquinolones and isoniazid) and theophylline. Mean age was 56,5+/-3,8 years and additional differe nt factors (high dosages, antecedents of epilepsy, underlying diseases ) were present in 22 observations.