Focal seizures and aminophylline

Intravenous aminophylline therapy for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may trigger prolonged and difficult to control focal motor seizures with generalization. This can occur in previously neurologically asymptomatic patients and be associated with a poor outcome. Most patients exhibited periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges or had autopsy-proved focal central nervous system lesions, or both. If focal and generalized seizures develop during aminophylline therapy, drug toxicity should be suspect as announcing a focal central lesion. Careful individual monitoring of aminophylline dose and administration rate is essential.