Treatment of seizures in acute intermittent porphyria: safety and efficacy of gabapentin

Seizure. 1998 Oct;7(5):415-6. doi: 10.1016/s1059-1311(05)80013-5.

Abstract

Treatment of seizures in acute intermittent porphyria represents a therapeutic dilemma. Patients needing chronic therapy often experience acute porphyric attacks due to increased hepatic metabolism induced by the antiepileptic drugs themselves. Gabapentin is a new antiepileptic drug not appreciably metabolized by the liver in humans, and it appears to be safe and effective in the maintenance therapy of epilepsy in these patients. We report a patient affected by partial and generalized seizures in the course of acute intermittent porphyria, who was safely and successfully treated with gabapentin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Amines*
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids*
  • Epilepsy / complications
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Gabapentin
  • Humans
  • Porphyria, Acute Intermittent / complications*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid*

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Amines
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin