Management of COVID-19 in people with epilepsy: drug considerations

Neurol Sci. 2020 Aug;41(8):2005-2011. doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04549-5. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Abstract

People with epilepsy (PWE) are neither more likely to be infected by the coronavirus nor are they more likely to have severe COVID-19 manifestations because they suffer from epilepsy. However, management of COVID-19 in PWE may be more complicated than that in other individuals. Drug-drug interactions could pose significant challenges and cardiac, hepatic, or renal problems, which may happen in patients with severe COVID-19, may require adjustment to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). In this review, we first summarize the potential drug-drug interactions between AEDs and drugs currently used in the management of COVID-19. We then summarize other challenging issues that may happen in PWE, who have COVID-19 and are receiving treatment.

Keywords: Antiepileptic drug; COVID; Epilepsy; Interaction; Seizure.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Drug Interactions*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsy / virology*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants