Antiepileptic drug toxicity: definition and mechanism of action

Ital J Neurol Sci. 1986 Apr;7(2):209-22. doi: 10.1007/BF02230884.

Abstract

A detailed review of the adverse reactions of anticonvulsants is given, focusing on the definitions of drug toxicity, sources of information, patterns of drug utilization, pharmacokinetic variables and different mechanisms of action. The information available in the literature provides a wide spectrum of drug toxicity with no attempt at a practical definition of the reported events. This favors uncertainty among practising physicians, who are led to use the individual items with different attitudes. Suggestions are given for the evaluation, prevention and treatment of anticonvulsant drug toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / etiology
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
  • Anticonvulsants / blood
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Utilization
  • Endocrine System Diseases / chemically induced
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / chemically induced
  • Gingival Hypertrophy / chemically induced
  • Hematologic Diseases / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Muscular Diseases / chemically induced
  • Osteomalacia / chemically induced
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced
  • Pregnancy
  • Skin Diseases / chemically induced
  • Vitamin D / metabolism

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Vitamin D