Management of Levetiracetam induced anxiety disorder (Chittodwega) using Gorakhmundi (Sphaeranthus indicus Linn) Ghana vati: A case report

Abstract

With an exponential rise in population and subsequently intensified socioeconomic stress, the incidence of mental health disorders like anxiety possess a significant great health burden on society. Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug indicated in the management of partial-onset, tonic myoclonic, and tonic-clonic seizures. However, it is associated with severe adverse drug reactions such as psychosis, anxiety, suicide, and allergic reactions. The presenting symptoms of anxiety disorder can be identified as Chittodwega (~anxiety), which is a Manasa vikara (~psychological disorder) in the context of Ayurveda. This case report shows the effect of the Ayurvedic drug Gorakhmundi in relieving the symptoms of anxiety in Levetiracetam-induced anxiety. A 50-year-old female patient who is a known case of seizures presented to the outpatient department with symptoms of anxiety. The patient was diagnosed with levetiracetam-induced anxiety and was suffering from heaviness in the head, palpitation, irritability, tingling sensation in extremities, irrational fear, diminished sleep, and intermittent gastrointestinal disturbances. The patient assessment was done on the basis of the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Manasa bhava parikshana (~assessment of psychological parameters) according to the principles of Ayurveda. The patient was treated with Gorakhmundi ghana vati (500 mg) twice a day for two months. The patient showed complete remission of symptoms after two months of treatment. A significant change was observed in pre- and post therapy assessment through the HAM-A and Manasa bhava parikshana. The case report highlights the effective use of Ayurveda treatment for the management of drug-induced anxiety disorder in an epileptic patient.