Seizure potential of concomitant medications and radiographic contrast media agents.

OBJECTIVE

To review seizure risk of concomitant medication administration and nonionic, water-soluble radiographic contrast media agents for myelography.

DATA SOURCES

Clinical literature was identified through MEDLINE (1966-May 2003). Key search terms included metrizamide, iohexol, myelogram, myelography, seizure, and contraindications.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Administration of myelography contrast media can produce rare serious adverse events, including meningeal irritation, seizures, or psychological disturbances. An evaluation of case reports and clinical trials concerning seizure risks of nonionic, water-soluble radiographic myelography contrast media and concomitant medications with potential to lower the seizure threshold was performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Available data supporting the incidence of increased seizure risk with nonionic, water-soluble contrast media agents and concomitant medication administration that lowers the seizure threshold are anecdotal. However, because of product labeling and additive potential to decrease the seizure threshold, discontinuation of such medications should be considered to avoid the presumed increased risk of seizures.