Acute psychotic disorder associated with vigabatrin.

• Author(s): Xavier, M ; Bento, M S ; Pereira, D P ; De Almeida, J M
• Date: 2000
• Origin: Acta Médica Portuguesa
• Document Type: Journal article
• Language: Portuguese

Description

Vigabatrin, a drug mainly used in the treatment of therapy-resistant epilepsy, has been associated to a large range of adverse effects, including acute psychotic disorders. The authors report the case of a 44-year-old patient with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy that developed an acute psychotic episode about three weeks after initiating medication with vigabatrin. After the withdrawal of vigabatrin and the addition of an antipsychotic drug, the clinical picture improved promptly and the patient was discharged within a short period of time. The authors discuss the patient's diagnosis, the possible mechanisms of vigabatrin-associated psychosis and the therapeutic approach, stressing the questions that concern vigabatrin prescription and withdrawal.

Vigabatrin, a drug mainly used in the treatment of therapy-resistant epilepsy, has been associated to a large range of adverse effects, including acute psychotic disorders. The authors report the case of a 44-year-old patient with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy that developed an acute psychotic episode about three weeks after initiating medication with vigabatrin. After the withdrawal of vigabatrin and the addition of an antipsychotic drug, the clinical picture improved promptly and the patient was discharged within a short period of time. The authors discuss the patient's diagnosis, the possible mechanisms of vigabatrin-associated psychosis and the therapeutic approach, stressing the questions that concern vigabatrin prescription and withdrawal.