Lack of potentiation of anticonvulsant effect by fluoxetine in drug-resistant epilepsy

Seizure. 1994 Sep;3(3):221-4. doi: 10.1016/s1059-1311(05)80192-x.

Abstract

To test the hypothesis that fluoxetine may be a useful adjunct to antiepileptic therapy, we treated with fluoxetine (20-40 mg/day) nine patients suffering from medically intractable epilepsy with daily seizures. Five patients remained unchanged and four worsened. Worsening was more evident at 40 mg/day. One patient improved when receiving the lower dose (20 mg/day) and worsened with the higher dose (40 mg/day). These data suggest: (1) that fluoxetine is not effective as add-on antiepileptic treatment; (2) that caution should be exerted when using fluoxetine as an antidepressive treatment in epileptic patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage*
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electroencephalography / drug effects
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsy / psychology
  • Female
  • Fluoxetine / administration & dosage*
  • Fluoxetine / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / drug therapy
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / psychology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Fluoxetine