Seizures

Introduction

  • The most common indication for anticonvulsants in palliative care is for the treatment of seizures associated with brain metastases or primary brain tumours. These patients may also require dexamethasone to reduce oedema around the tumour.  
  • The initial dose is usually in the region of 16mg daily in divided doses, but this is then reduced to the minimum dose possible to maintain control. 
  • The therapeutic effect of dexamethasone may be markedly reduced by concurrent administration of phenytoin. There have also been inconsistent reports of dexamethasone causing plasma phenytoin levels to be either elevated or reduced.
Further information on the use of anticonvulsants for seizures is available below in downloadable pdf format
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