Antibiotics And Seizures

Question

Do antibiotics increase your chances of having a seizure, even if your epilepsy is well controlled. How soon after starting the antibiotics would you notice increased seizure activity? And how long would this increased activity continue after stopping the antibiotics?

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member · Accepted Answer

Yes as with any medication especially when it comes to my seizure medication they don’t interact with other medications well. Do listen to what others may suggest just don’t run with the information as I’m sure you already know based on your response you’ve done some checking into this matter . As far as relying on the information my doctor gives me, I still check because the one thing I’ve learned in this epilepsy journey is wearing that white lab coat does NOT make the doctor well educated on epilepsy. Ask your pharmacist and they may know more about the mixing of antibiotics with AEDs. Stay safe and seizure free 😉

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member · Answer

Hi Margery, it is well documented that antibiotics and  epilepsy meds can interact and impact on seizure activity. check out epilepsy foundation for info on this.

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member · Answer

Expect the unexpected but stay prepared.

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member · Answer

Technically they probably can. But you probably have to take everything into account. E.g If you're on them because you are sick then you should probably also take that into account.

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member · Answer

Now that most definitely sounds like the antibiotics are not interacting well with his seizure medication, so I see your concern.   Yet another reason to question what they’re prescribing and if they’ve even taken into account whether the new prescription will work and if they’ve prescribed it for another patient taking the same medication as your son. I hope the doctors figure this out for him and let him go back to his seizure free life. Hang in there and keep that same wisdom you have to know when something is not right.

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member · Answer

I should put my question in context..After being 2.5yrs seizure free on keppra for nocturnal tonic clonic seizures, my son had seizure in jan and again in may. He had been on a penicillin based antibiotic for 10 days late dec for an ingrown toe nail infection..the infection didnt clear following a chiropodist appointment. He was again put on another antibiotic late april again for 10days and penicillin based and then had surgery on toe in may. Having read about antiobiotic and epilepsy meds interaction, I am curious if this could have triggered the seizures for my son? I will of course be asking our neuro about this at our next appt in oct but was curious to know what epilepsy team members experiences were..

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