Combination therapy of lamotrigine and escitalopram may cause myoclonus

Movement disorders associated with antiseizure medications: A systematic review

New-onset movement disorders have been frequently reported in association with the use of antiseizure medications (ASMs). The frequency of specific motor manifestations and the spectrum of their semiology for various ASMs have not been well characterized. We carried out a systematic review of literature and conducted a search on CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus from inception to April 2021. We compiled the data for all currently available ASMs using the conventional terminology of movement disorders. Among 5123 manuscripts identified by the search, 437 met the inclusion criteria. The largest number of reports of abnormal movements were in association with phenobarbital, valproic acid, lacosamide, and perampanel, and predominantly included tremor and ataxia. The majority of attempted interventions for all agents were discontinuation of the offending drug or dose reduction which led to the resolution of symptoms in most patients. Familiarity with the movement disorder phenomenology previously encountered in relation with specific ASMs facilitates early recognition of adverse effects and timely institution of targeted interventions.

Lamotrigine-Associated Movement Disorder: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Lamotrigine (LMT) is a phenyltriazine derivative that was originally described as an antiepileptic drug.

OBJECTIVE

This literature review aims to evaluate the clinical epidemiological profile, pathological mechanisms, and management of lamotrigine-associated movement disorders.

METHODS

Relevant reports in six databases were identified and assessed by two reviewers without language restriction. Reports that the individuals only developed tremor or ataxia after LMT use were not included.

RESULTS

In total 48 reports of 108 cases from 19 countries were assessed. The movement disorders associated with LMT found were 29 tics, 21 dyskinesias, 14 myoclonus, 13 parkinsonism, 10 dystonia, and 1 stuttering. The not clearly defined cases included 10 akathisia, 4 myoclonus, 4 cerebellar syndromes, 1 hypertonia, 1 dyskinesia, and an unknown number of dystonia cases. The mean reported age was 33.34 years (range: 1.574 years). The male was the predominant sex and the most common LMT indication was epilepsy. The mean LMT-dose at the movement disorder onset was 228 mg. The time from LMT start to the onset of movement disorder was within 6 months in 81%. The time from LMT withdrawal to complete recovery was within 1 month in 83%. The most common management was LMT withdrawal.

CONCLUSIONS

In the literature, the majority of the cases did not give a clear picture of the individual, and the times of movement disorder onset and recovery are not described. We believe that before withdrawal LMT, a dose adjustment based on the benefits and adverse events with careful evaluation case-by-case can be done.

The clinical heterogeneity of drug-induced myoclonus: an illustrated review

A wide variety of drugs can cause myoclonus. To illustrate this, we first discuss two personally observed cases, one presenting with generalized, but facial-predominant, myoclonus that was induced by amantadine; and the other presenting with propriospinal myoclonus triggered by an antibiotic. We then review the literature on drugs that may cause myoclonus, extracting the corresponding clinical phenotype and suggested underlying pathophysiology. The most frequently reported classes of drugs causing myoclonus include opiates, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antibiotics. The distribution of myoclonus ranges from focal to generalized, even amongst patients using the same drug, which suggests various neuro-anatomical generators. Possible underlying pathophysiological alterations involve serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and glutamate-related processes at various levels of the neuraxis. The high number of cases of drug-induced myoclonus, together with their reported heterogeneous clinical characteristics, underscores the importance of considering drugs as a possible cause of myoclonus, regardless of its clinical characteristics.

Lamotrigine use in patients with binge eating and purging, significant affect dysregulation, and poor impulse control

OBJECTIVE

Some patients with symptoms of binge eating and purging are successfully treated with specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but others experience only partial or no benefit. Significant affect dysregulation and poor impulse control may be characteristics that limit responsiveness.

METHOD

We report on the treatment of five patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), anorexia nervosa-binge/purge type (AN-B/P) or eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS), using the anticonvulsant lamotrigine after inadequate response to SSRIs.

RESULTS

Following addition of lamotrigine to an antidepressant in four cases, and switch from an antidepressant to lamotrigine in one case, patients experienced substantial improvement in mood reactivity and instability, impulsive drives and behaviors, and eating-disordered symptoms.

DISCUSSION

These findings raise the possibility that lamotrigine, either as monotherapy or as an augmenting agent to antidepressants, may be useful in patients who binge eat and purge, and have significant affect dysregulation with poor impulse control.

Consensus statement: the evaluation and treatment of people with epilepsy and affective disorders

Affective disorders in people with epilepsy (PWE) have become increasingly recognized as a primary factor in the morbidity and mortality of epilepsy. To improve the recognition and treatment of affective disorders in PWE, an expert panel comprising members from the Epilepsy Foundation's Mood Disorders Initiative have composed a Consensus Statement. This document focuses on depressive disorders in particular and reviews the appearance and treatment of the disorder in children, adolescents, and adults. Idiosyncratic aspects of the appearance of depression in this population, along with physiological and cognitive issues and barriers to treatment, are reviewed. Finally, a suggested approach to the diagnosis of affective disorders in PWE is presented in detail. This includes the use of psychometric tools for diagnosis and a stepwise algorithmic approach to treatment. Recommendations are based on the general depression literature as well as epilepsy-specific studies. It is hoped that this document will improve the overall detection and subsequent treatment of affective illnesses in PWE.

Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions of psychotropic drugs with antiepileptic drugs

Co-morbid psychiatric disorders are relatively frequent in patients with epilepsy. The prevalence rates of mood and anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder have been found to be significantly higher in patients with epilepsy than in the general population. While co-morbid psychiatric disorders have frequently been considered as complications of the seizure disorder, there is an increasing body of literature that points to a complex relationship between psychiatric and seizure disorders. Because of this, it is crucial that clinicians consider the presence of co-morbid psychiatric disorders when planning the treatment of patients with epilepsy. Having a clear understanding of the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions between antiepileptic drugs and psychotropic drugs is of the essence to avert unnecessary adverse events and loss of efficacy of psychotropic drugs. This chapter provides a practical review on the use of psychotropic drugs for the treatment of these psychiatric co-morbidities in patients with epilepsy.