Antidepressants and Seizure Threshold: A Case Report on Sertraline-Induced Seizure

Abstract

Introduction: Drug-induced seizures are a growing problem due to their relatively high prevalence; poor prognosis and a large number of different drugs being associated with the etiology. Although rare, seizures reported with sertraline include myoclonic seizures, partial seizures, and generalized seizures. We report the case of a young female with no prior history of seizures who developed an episode of seizures with possible use of sertraline. Case Report: A 40-year-old female presented with the episode of seizures. On examination, Glassgow Coma Scale score was E1V1M4. Three months earlier, she was diagnosed with intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) with neurological deficits. Levetiracetam was started as prophylactic for seizures. Sertraline was added for concomitant depression. Dose increase of sertraline was done by the psychiatrist due to inadequate response for depression. About 1½ months after the dose increase, she presented with seizures. Conclusion: IPH and neurological deficits could be causative for seizures. However, seizures as an adverse drug reaction of sertraline cannot be ruled out as they occurred after the dose increase of Sertraline. Although rare, one should be watchful for this adverse effect of sertraline.