Amnesic syndrome after theophylline associated seizures: iatrogenic brain injury.

Two patients developed a disabling amnesic syndrome after seizures associated with oral theophylline treatment. Such seizures are more likely in the elderly, in the presence of pre-existing neurological disease, and when theophylline is given with certain antibiotics and cimetidine. The mechanism of neuronal injury may be by the excessive release of endogenous excitotoxic glutamate.