Tag: Seizures

According to reports, drug-induced seizures account for up to 9% of cases of status epilepticus, a serious and prolonged seizure condition. This highlights the critical importance of understanding **what are epileptogenic drugs**—medications that can cause seizures—and the factors that increase this risk.

Anticonvulsant medications, also known as antiseizure or antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), are prescribed to control the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures. These drugs can prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of seizures for many people, significantly improving their quality of life.

As a potent benzodiazepine, clonazepam (brand name Klonopin) is approved for treating panic disorder and certain seizure types, but it is also used for off-label purposes such as anxiety and insomnia. It is available by prescription only and is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the use of EPOGEN, an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA), increases the risk of seizures in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This serious, though less common, side effect necessitates careful patient monitoring and management of related risk factors like high blood pressure.

The FDA warns that morphine sulfate may increase the frequency of seizures in individuals with seizure disorders. The question of whether *is morphine contraindicated in seizures?* is a nuanced one that depends heavily on the patient's condition, dosage, and specific circumstances.

While no single medication is universally considered the best medication to stop seizures, a combination of acute rescue therapies and long-term daily drugs effectively manages most cases. The optimal treatment depends heavily on the seizure type, patient factors, and a careful balance of efficacy and side effects.

In 2020, levetiracetam (Keppra) was prescribed to more than 5 million people in the U.S., while topiramate (Topamax) was prescribed to over 4 million, making them both widely used antiepileptic drugs. Despite their shared purpose of treating seizures, the question, '**Is levetiracetam the same as Topamax?**' is a common one that reveals a fundamental misunderstanding, as the two are fundamentally distinct medications.

While most clinicians exercise caution when prescribing clozapine to patients with a history of seizures, **clozapine is not strictly contraindicated in epilepsy**, provided the condition is well-controlled. The risk of seizures associated with this atypical antipsychotic is dose-dependent and requires careful management.

Although rare, the anticonvulsant medication levetiracetam (Keppra) has been associated with various blood disorders, including anemia [1.3.2]. For patients managing epilepsy, understanding the answer to 'Does Keppra make you anemic?' is vital for recognizing potential side effects and seeking timely medical advice.

According to major drug interaction checkers, combining quetiapine and tramadol is generally not recommended and should be avoided due to the potential for severe and life-threatening side effects. A case report even documents a fatal outcome in a patient using tramadol, quetiapine, and other serotonergic drugs concurrently. Patients must discuss the safety of taking quetiapine and tramadol with their healthcare provider.