What over the counter medications can cause seizures?

The most common OTC medicine that may affect seizures is probably diphenhydramine. This medicine is the active ingredient in medications like Benadryl, which is used for colds, allergies, and sleep.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on epilepsy.com


Can over-the-counter drugs cause seizures?

A few medicines that you can get without a prescription (called over-the-counter or OTC medicines) can potentially increase seizures in people with epilepsy. They could even trigger a seizure for the first time.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on epilepsy.com


Which medication should be avoided in a patient with a history of seizures?

Epilepsy drugs known to have this effect include Carbatrol, Dilantin, phenobarbital, Mysoline, Trileptal, and Topamax.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


What ingredient causes seizures?

A primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system is glutamate, and there are several excitatory amino acid (EAA) toxins that can cause seizures. Kainic acid and a similar EAA domoic acid activate NMDA and AMPA subtypes of glutamate receptors, and cause an influx of excessive calcium.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sciencedirect.com


Can ibuprofen cause seizures?

Ingestions of more than 400 mg/kg of ibuprofen are associated with seizures, apnea, hypotension, bradycardia, metabolic acidosis, and renal and hepatic dysfunction. Occasionally, these NSAIDs can cause dizziness, blurred vision, seizures, and coma.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on emedicine.medscape.com


Medicines to Avoid If You Have Epilepsy | Epilepsy



What would cause a seizure all of a sudden?

Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This includes a high fever, high or low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion. But when a person has 2 or more seizures with no known cause, this is diagnosed as epilepsy.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hopkinsmedicine.org


Can Benadryl trigger seizures?

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine. It's used to treat allergies, cold symptoms, and sleeping problems. It can potentially worsen seizures in people with epilepsy or cause a first-time seizure.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on goodrx.com


Can Benadryl cause seizures?

09-24-2020 FDA Drug Safety Communication

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fda.gov


Can antihistamines cause seizures?

Conclusion: In our population, antihistamine accounted for the highest proportion of drug-induced seizures. Considering that antihistamines are widely used as over-the-counter drugs around the world, they should be considered a possible cause of new-onset seizures.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov


Can painkillers cause seizures?

Seizures have been reported with high doses of pethidine,3 morphine,4 cyclizine,5 and ondansetron. Metoclopramide may lower the seizure threshold in patients with epilepsy.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medsafe.govt.nz


Can mucinex cause seizures?

Guaifenesin and theophylline side effects

seizure (convulsions); fast or uneven heart rate; or. severe nausea or vomiting.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on drugs.com


What street drugs cause seizures?

Seizures caused by Cocaine are uniquely dangerous as they have been associated with fatal heart issues like heart attacks. Other drugs that can cause a seizure are Heroin, Ecstasy, Inhalants, Kratom, Stimulants, and synthetic Cannabinoids.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on addictioncenter.com


Can cold water trigger seizures?

Sudden immersion into cold water could increase your chances of having a seizure. Be aware of and avoid shimmering sunlight across the pool surface or flashing lights which may precipitate a seizure.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on swimming.org


Can Nyquil cause seizures?

Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations), shaking, trouble urinating, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, seizure.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


Which antidepressants can cause seizures?

Also, citalopram, paroxetine, and venlafaxine were found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of epilepsy/seizures in both studies.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com


Can caffeine cause a seizure?

Caffeine: This stimulant is found in a variety of foods and beverages, such as soda, tea, coffee, and chocolate. It can alter your brain's electrical signals and cause a seizure.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Can Dramamine cause seizures?

What happens if I overdose on Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate)? Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, irritability, dilated pupils, hallucinations, or seizure. In children, an overdose may cause irritability or restlessness followed by severe drowsiness.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on everydayhealth.com


Can elderberry cause seizures?

Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on drugs.com


What should epileptics avoid?

Here are some of the seizure triggers that have been reported by people with epilepsy:
  • Not taking epilepsy medicine as prescribed.
  • Feeling tired and not sleeping well.
  • Stress.
  • Alcohol and recreational drugs.
  • Flashing or flickering lights.
  • Monthly periods.
  • Missing meals.
  • Having an illness which causes a high temperature.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on epilepsy.org.uk


What antihistamines are safe with epilepsy?

However, pseudoephedrine and dextromethorphan can also lower the seizure threshold and are common ingredients in many cold medications. Guaifenesin does not seem to be as much of a problem. Some people are also sensitive to antihistamines, so we suggest that you avoid diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on neurology.ufl.edu


Can stress cause seizures?

Emotional stress also can lead to seizures. Emotional stress is usually related to a situation or event that has personal meaning to you. It may be a situation in which you feel a loss of control. In particular, the kind of emotional stress that leads to most seizures is worry or fear.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on epilepsy.com


What are the 3 most common causes of seizures in adults?

Overall, the most common etiology of adult onset seizures is stroke. Other causes in descending order are idiopathic seizures, CNS infections, metabolic causes, and brain tumors.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov


What can trigger a seizure in adults?

12 most common seizure triggers
  • Missing medication. The most common reason for a seizure is forgetting to take your anti-epileptic drugs (AED) or deliberately not taking it. ...
  • Alcohol. ...
  • Recreational drugs. ...
  • Caffeine. ...
  • Lack of sleep / tiredness. ...
  • Stress / anxiety. ...
  • Boredom. ...
  • Dehydration.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on epilepsyscotland.org.uk


What vitamin deficiency causes seizures in adults?

The only vitamin deficiency known to cause or worsen seizures is a deficiency of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on epilepsy.com