Health Law

Drugs Used for CP Symptom Linked to Heart Risk

One of the conditions often associated with cerebral palsy is seizures. Seizures are commonly prevented using one of two medications, both of which are classified as anticonvulsants and both of which have recently been linked to heart risks: phenytoin (Dilantin®) or carbamazepine (Tegetrol® and Carbatrol®).

Dilantin was first used in 1938 and has since been the most widely used anticonvulsant in the United States, while Tegetrol is more popular globally. However, researchers have linked these two anticonvulsants with increased levels of cholesterol and other markers of heart disease – a problem not found in patients taking the newer anti-seizure drugs levetiracetam (Keppra®) and lamotrigine (Lamictal®).

If your child experiences seizures as a cerebral palsy symptom, you may wish to talk to your doctor about the significance of this new study which is published online in the Annals of Neurology.

 

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on March 20, 2009 (boomark / email).