UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Medication Causes of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Keywords: idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pseudotumor cerebri, tetracycline, vitamin a (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/11/2011 by Bryan Hayes, PharmD (Emailed: 11/10/2011) (Updated: 11/10/2011)
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Several medications have been linked to causing idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri). Be sure to record an accurate medication history in patients you suspect of having this diagnosis.

Excessive doses of vitamin A
- Other retinoids too: retinol, isotretinoin, and tretinoin
Tetracyclines (tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline)
Growth hormone

Withdrawal of the offending agent will generally resolve the symptoms.