Researchers in Chandigarh, India, have discovered an association between epileptic seizures and heavy drug use, particularly among young addicts.
The findings, which were first reported in a July 9, 2008 article on the expressindia website, followed a six-year study of 312 patients in the de-addiction center of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Department of Psychiatry.
According to expressindia reporter Neelam Sharma, PGIMER researchers discovered that 20 percent of the patients they studied had experienced seizures during the time they were addicted. We have found that 63 patients had seizures, Additional Professor D Basu, a member of the research team, told Sharma. Only five patients had any past history of seizures and only three had a family history of the disease.
The addiction-seizure link was strongest among individuals who had been addicted to the painkillers propoxyphene and dextropropoxyphene.
Propoxyphene is marketed by Eli Lily and Company under the brand name Darvon. Dextropropoxyphene is the primary active ingredient in Darvocet-N and Darvon-N. Several websites list seizures and convulsions among the potential side effects of the drugs, especially if taken in conjunction with carbamazepine, an anti-seizure medication.
The PGIMER researchers found that the likelihood of seizures was greatest among abusers of dextropropoxyphene, with prolonged use of the drug and a history of high doses increasing the risk.
Though the PGIMER study is one of the first to draw such a strong correlation between drug abuse and seizures, experts have previously noted that the risk exists. For example, along with stress, fatigue, and insufficient food intake, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons lists alcohol use and drug abuse as factors that may increase the seizure risk in individuals who are already predisposed to experiencing seizures.
However, as Professor Basu noted in the expressindia article, the vast majority of patients who were evaluated by PGIMER researchers had no history of seizure disorders prior to their abuse of dextropropoxyphene.
Decreed by the Indian Parliament in 1967 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, offers direct care to patients, provides instruction in medical and surgical fields, and undertakes an ongoing program of community-based research.
Labels: teen-drug-abuse
Posted By: jgarcia