Study finds drug used to treat seizures may have severe side effects

A study has found that a sedative used to treat prolonged seizures may cause complications or even death.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic, included 39 patients with refractory status epilepticus, a condition usually associated with epilepsy. Among the 32 who received propofol after being admitted to the intensive care unit with RSE, three had sudden and unexplained heart attacks, resulting in two deaths. Thirty percent of the patients taking propofol had propofol infusion syndrome, which causes unexplained problems in the heart, muscles and bloodstream.

Among the other seven patients, who were taking other epilepsy drugs, PRIS occurred in one, but there were no deaths.

“Patients with RSE treated with propofol are at high risk for propofol-related side effects because of the high propofol infusion rates and prolonged treatment duration necessary in these patients,” study author Dr. Vivek Iyer said in a statement.

Propofol is available in several branded and generic forms.