Prolonged postictal encephalopathy in two patients with clozapine-induced seizures

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1992 Fall;4(4):454-7. doi: 10.1176/jnp.4.4.454.

Abstract

Two patients with prolonged postictal encephalopathy lasting 63 and 72 hours, respectively, following seizures with clozapine are reported. Clozapine alters the EEG in a majority of patients treated, with seizure frequency as high as 5-10% in doses above 600 mg/d. Prolonged postictal encephalopathy following a clozapine-induced seizure has not been previously reported but may be an important side effect of this medication. Pharmacologic and clinical issues are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Bipolar Disorder / physiopathology
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology
  • Clozapine / adverse effects*
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use
  • Delta Rhythm
  • Electroencephalography / drug effects*
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / chemically induced*
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / psychology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / physiopathology*
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / psychology
  • Schizophrenia, Paranoid / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenia, Paranoid / physiopathology
  • Schizophrenia, Paranoid / psychology

Substances

  • Clozapine