Journal of Clinical Case Reports

Potentiation of Epileptogenic Effect of Isoniazid By Ethanol Consumption

Abstract

Gaba BS, Mittal SP, Malik Anupam and Modi Akash Kumar

The incidence of adverse reaction to isoniazid was estimated to be 3.4% in a study done in more than 3000 patients treated withthis drug. The most common adverse effect being rash (2%), fever(1.2%), jaundice (0.6%) and peripheral neuritis (0.6%). If pyridoxine is not given concurrently, the incidence of peripheral neuritis (mostcommonly parasthesias of hands and feet) is the most common adverse reaction to isoniazid and occurs in about 2% of patients receiving 5 mg/kg. Higher doses may result in peripheral neuropathy in around 10-20% of the patients. The prophylactic administration of pyridoxine prevents thedevelopment not only of peripheral neuritis, but also of other neurological adverse effects. Muscle twitching, dizziness, ataxia, parasthesias, stupor and toxic encephalopathy are other manifestationsof the neurotoxicity of isoniazid.