Pharmacologic management and treatment challenges in tumour-induced epilepsy: an observational study

Gummalla Prema Florence*, Lalam Swarnakumari, Boddu Meenakshi, Makireddy Venkatalakshmi

Department of Pharmacy Practice, Aditya College of Pharmacy, Surampalem, Andhra Pradesh, India

Refer this article

Gummalla Prema Florence, Lalam Swarnakumari, Boddu Meenakshi, Makireddy Venkatalakshmi, 2026. Pharmacologic management and treatment challenges in tumour-induced epilepsy: an observational study. Journal of medical pharmaceutical and allied sciences, V 15, I 3, Pages 05 – 07. Doi: https://doi.org/10.55522/jmpas.V15I3.7006.

ABSTRACT

Patients with brain tumors, especially gliomas, frequently experience tumor-induced epilepsy (TIE), a neurological complication in which seizures frequently occur prior to diagnosis and continue throughout the course of the illness. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical factors in choosing safe and effective antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy as well as the pharmacologic management of epilepsy among patients with brain tumors. Patients at a tertiary care hospital who were diagnosed with tumor-induced epilepsy participated in a retrospective observational study. Clinical information was gathered and examined, including demographic information, tumor features, prescribed antiepileptic drugs, treatment results, and adverse drug responses. The findings highlight that enzyme-inducing AEDs such as phenytoin and carbamazepine may reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy by accelerating drug metabolism, whereas non–enzyme-inducing agents like levetiracetam and valproate demonstrated better tolerability and fewer drug–drug interactions. Despite these advantages, adverse effects such as sedation, behavioural changes, and hepatotoxicity remain significant limitations. Optimal management of TIE requires individualised pharmacotherapy, close multidisciplinary collaboration, and therapeutic drug monitoring to ensure efficacy and safety. A personalised and cautious approach emphasising drug safety and seizure control can substantially improve patient outcomes. Further research is warranted to develop tumor-specific epilepsy management strategies and strengthen evidence-based clinical practice.

Keywords:

Tumor-induced epilepsy, Antiseizure medications, Brain tumors, Glioma, Levetiracetam, Drug-drug interactions, Pharmacologic challenge.

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