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Every person's brain has what is known as a "seizure threshold." When the threshold is crossed, the brain responds by having a seizure. Although many factors may cause seizures, certain medications are often what cause the brain to surpass its seizure threshold.
Ways Drugs Cause Seizures
Drugs may induce seizures in a couple of different ways. With some medications, just their presence in the body can cause seizures. With other medications, seizures are only a risk when the medication is suddenly increased or decreased or abruptly stopped.
Antibiotics and ADD Medications
Antibiotics that can cause seizures include Amphotec, Cipro, Levaquin and Flagyl. Seizures may also be induced by certain medications for attention deficit disorder (ADD), such as Dexedrine, Ritalin and Concerta.
Medication Withdrawal
Antihistamines such as Benadryl, Atarax and Vistaril have all been known to cause seizures during withdrawal. Lioresal, a common medication for multiple sclerosis, also may cause seizures upon withdrawal.
Psychiatric Drugs
Seizures related to medications seem to be caused most often by psychiatric drugs. Some of these include Xanax, Wellbutrin, Thorazine, Klonopin, Clozaril, FazaClo, Valium, Haldol, Lithobid and Ativan.
Recreational Drugs
Illicit and recreational drugs including alcohol, cocaine, Dexedrine and Adderall may also contribute to seizures. For a full list of these drugs, both recreational and prescription, consult the site below. http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/newsletter/jul09_AEDs
Source:
Epilepsy.com: Medications That Cause Seizures
Professionals.epilepsy.com: Drugs & Their Contributions to Seizures
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