Tag: Seizure triggers

Approximately 3.4 million people in the United States have epilepsy, and a significant number must be vigilant about which medications they take. Understanding **what drugs should you avoid with seizures?** is crucial, as some can lower the seizure threshold or interfere with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).

While seizures are often associated with epilepsy, they can also be an adverse effect of many different drugs, with retrospective analyses showing drug-induced seizures occur in 0.8% to 1.7% of clinical populations. This article explores what medication can trigger a seizure, discussing the different classes of drugs, underlying mechanisms, and key risk factors.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, around 33% of people with epilepsy experience uncontrolled seizures despite taking their medication as prescribed. This confirms that yes, you can still have seizures when on medication, a phenomenon known as a breakthrough seizure. For those who have been seizure-free, a single seizure can be unexpected and alarming, leading to questions about the effectiveness of their treatment plan.

According to studies, drug toxicity is a known cause for a significant number of new-onset seizures, and it's essential to know what drugs cause you seizures in both therapeutic and overdose situations. Understanding the different classes of medication and substances that can trigger seizures is the first step toward prevention and managing risk.

For people with epilepsy, certain medications can unexpectedly increase the risk of seizures by lowering the seizure threshold. This is because the intricate balance of electrical signals in the brain can be sensitive to external substances, making it critical to know **what medication is bad for epilepsy** to avoid a dangerous interaction.

Up to 10% of drug-related status epilepticus cases may be associated with antibiotic use, highlighting the serious risks of certain medications. For individuals managing their condition, understanding what drugs should epilepsy avoid is a crucial part of minimizing seizure triggers and maintaining effective treatment.

While Keppra (levetiracetam) is an effective antiepileptic drug for many, studies show that even on this medication, 20% to 40% of patients receiving it as an add-on therapy saw their seizures cut by at least half, not completely eliminated. The reality is that you can still have seizures on Keppra, a phenomenon known as breakthrough seizures, which can be both alarming and frustrating for patients and caregivers.