UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Neurology

Title: Anti-epileptics for Post-stroke Seizure

Keywords: aed, antiepileptic medication, post-stroke seizure, stroke, seizure (PubMed Search)

Posted: 6/11/2008 by Aisha Liferidge, MD (Updated: 3/29/2024)
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  • One large study showed that cerebrovascular diseases represented the most common etiology of secondary epilepsy.
  • Animal studies have shown most antiepileptic drugs to be neuroprotectants.
  • Animal studies have also shown, however, that phenytoin, benzodiazepines, and phenobarbital may impair post-stroke motor recovery.
  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol) has not been found to demonstrate any significant hinderance of  post-stroke recovery.
  • From an anicdotal clinical perspective, levetiracetam (Keppra) is often used to treat post-stroke seizure.

References

  • Camilo, et al.  Seizures and Epilepsy After Ischemic Stroke.  Stroke.  2004; 35:  1769-75.
  • Hauser WA, et al.  Incidence of epilepsy and unprovoked seizures in Rochester, Minnesota;  1935-1984.  Epilepsia.  1993; 34:  453-68.