Disulfiram-induced seizures: a case report.

Introduction: Disulfiram is an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor that is useful in maintaining abstinence from alcohol in patients of alcohol dependence syndrome. Disulfiram metabolism is complex and although generally safe, documented adverse effects include encephalopathy, convulsion, cranial and peripheral neuropathy, irreversible injury to the basal ganglia with permanent neurological deficits, and drug-induced psychosis. Many case-studies on disulfiram have been reported, and only one study reported disulfiram causing seizures with convulsions. Objectives: To report a rare case of disulfiram-induced seizures in a patient of alcohol dependence syndrome. Methods: Non-systematic review from Pubmed-database. Results: A 47-year-old-male patient dependent on alcohol for almost 10 years with history of chronic hepatic disease was hospitalized for alcohol detoxification. He was admitted with an average of alcohol consumption of 3 lt per day, with symptoms of abstinence. He was detoxified in the hospital for alcohol dependence and was instituted with disulfiram 250 mg at tenth day of hospitalization. On the same day it was observed one episode of generalised tonic-clonic seizures. It was administrated 10mg of intramuscular diazepam and the patient was transferred to the emergency department where a second episode was observed. There was past history of multiple drugs use. No abnormalities were found on physical examination and neurological examination. Disulfiram was discontinued and increased benzodiazepine dose, then there was no further history of seizures. Aditional investigations were all within normal limits. Conclusions: In addition to the physical symptoms associated with concomitant use of alcohol, disulfiram may lead to adverse reactions, including seizures, which are rare but needs to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]