EPILEPSY INSTITUTE OF NORTH CAROLINA
The Brain is ...  Where You Live
COMPREHENSIVE EPILEPSY PROGRAM                                           PATIENT CARE • EDUCATION • RESEARCH                                                  BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER                                            THE BRAIN IS WHERE YOU LIVE

Medication Guidelines for Seizure Patients

MEDICATION GUIDELINES FOR SEIZURE PATIENTS

 

Medications that MAY be taken:

 

            For pain:           Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

                                    Ibuprofen (such as Advil, Nuprin, Medipren, Motrin)

 

            For colds:          Coughs- guaifenesin/dextramethorphan (Robitussin DM, Mucinex)

                                    Stuffy nose due to colds and allergies:

                                                Decongestant – pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)

                                                Afrin nasal spray, normal saline nasal spray

                                                Non-sedating antihistamines - Claritin®, Zyrtec®

Patients taking CARBAMAZEPINE (Tegretol), PHENYTOIN (Dilantin) and PHENOBARBITAL should contact EINC prior to starting any new prescription medications.  In particular, these drugs may reduce the effectiveness of BIRTH CONTROL pills and THEOPHYLLINE (Theo-Dur, Bronkodyl, Elixophyllin,Slo-bed, Slo-phyllin), which is a medication used for the prevention and treatment of wheezing, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing due to asthma, COPD and other diseases of the lungs.

 

PATIENTS ON THE FOLLOWING MEDICATIONS MUST ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS:

 

CARBAMAZEPINE (Tegretol) – Avoid and consult our office about the following medications:

 

CIMITEDINE (Tagement) – ulcer medication

PROPOXYPHENE (Darvon, Wygesic,Darvocet, Percocet) – pain medications

ERYTHROMYCIN (E-Mycin, EES) – antibiotics

CLARITHROMYCIN (Biaxin) – antibiotic

AZITHROMYCIN (Zithromax) – antibiotic

ISONIAZID (INH) – tuberculosis

VERAPAMIL (Calan, Calan SR, Isoptin, Verelan) – calcium channel blocker for hypertension

DILTIAZEM (Cardizem, Cardizem CD) – calcium channel blocker for hypertension and angina

FLUOXETINE (Prozac) - depression

 

 PHENYTOIN (Dilantin) – Avoid and consult our office about the following medications:

 

FLUCONAZOLE (Diflucan) – anti fungal agent

CIMETIDINE (Tagament) – ulcer medication

ISONIAZID (INH) – tuberculosis

VERAPAMIL (Calan, Calan SR, Isoptin, Verelan) – calcium channel blocker for hypertension

DILTIAZEM (Cardizem, Cardizem CD) – calcium channel blocker for hypertension and angina

 

VALPORIC ACID (Depakene and Depakote)  AVOID THE FOLLOWING MEDICATIONS

ASPIRIN (Bayer, Ecotrin, Ascriptin)

PEPTO-BISMOL

 

ACETAZOLAMIDE (Diamox)  AVOID THE FOLLOWING MEDICATIONS

ASPIRIN (Bayer, Ecotrin, Ascriptin)

PEPTO-BISMOL

 

CERTAIN MEDICATIONS MAY INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF HAVING A SEIZURE.  THESE INCLUDE MOST ANTIHISTAMINES, CERTAIN ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICAITONS AND ALCOHOL.  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE EPILEPSY INSTITUTE OF NORTH CAROLINA AT (336) 659-8202.