Cold/flu meds and seizures?

[Junebug]

Do any of you have a problem taking cold/flu meds when you are sick? I cannot take them because my seizures will increase and I will not be able to overcome being sick as fast as if I didn't take the meds. I know doesn't make sense but when I have seizures my body just goes haywire with my immune system.
I don't take any cold/flu med anymore because of this but if I get a sinus infection or ear infection, of course I have to take anti-biotics and even that is limited because I am allergic to pennicilin (hives) and Tetracyline's (hallucinations) and there are only a select few that work on bacterial infections for those illnesses.

What about you? Do your seizures increase when you are sick and take cold/flu meds?

[Ann T.]

Junebug: Hi. While I don't notice an increase in seizures when I get sick, my neurologist told me to stay away from Dextromethorphan, also known as the "DM" in cold & flu medicines. He said when combined w/ seizure meds, it can lead to a medicine induced "high". That's why I stay away from cold meds & just tough it out.

[Endless]

Hi, Junebug,

Drugs.com lists an interaction between Depakote and Benedryl.
http://www.drugs.com/interactions-ch...96-470,918-484

Also between Lamictal and Benedryl: http://www.drugs.com/interactions-ch...6-470,1430-848

No interactions between Lamictal, Depakote, Benedryl, and dextromethorphan, and Sudafed.

That doesn't mean you can't react badly to dextromethorphan or sudafed. Just that it wasn't observed in a certain number of people, or in the clinical trials. I think it's trial and error for each person. Some people take cold & cough medicine with their seizure meds and they do just fine. Some people have problems.

I can't take sudafed. It makes me feel like my brain is vibrating, and it increases seizures. I can't take benedryl, either. It doesn't seem to mix with my seizure meds. It makes it harder to breathe, among other things.

[momof3boys]

The only problem Ive had when it comes to medications to treat flu or colds, is Sudafed. I was taking sudafed all the time when I was on Keppra and Carbatrol. But since getting off the Carbatrol and only being on Keppra, I took the Sudafed and had break through seizures. All these years, no neurologist or primary care dr ever told me I couldnt take Sudafed. But after going for so many years being on two seizure medications, and then down to only one, it got the best of me and I had seizures. Since then, I havnt taken the Sudafed. My doctors nurse explained to me that it might not have bothered me before, since I was on two seizure medications, but now Im only on one, I dont have that extra medication that she called a "back up" protection, and it caused seizures to come up. So Ive stayed away from it.

[jyearta]

I cann't take much of anything for a cold or flu, because each thing I've tried causes me to have seizure.

It wasn't this way when I was younger.

The only things I can take is 1 vit. C tablet and Cold-EEZE lozenges these have zinc in them. and I can tell that they help.
I can't take zinc vit. tablets, but I have not problems with these.
--they also come sugar free--

When I get a cough that will not go away.
my husband mixes honey, lemon juice, and HOT DAM
I can only sip less than a teaspoon.

[Junebug]

Thanks everyone for your input!
I've found that I can't take Sudafed or Benadryl at all, NyQuill is a hit or miss so I just don't take it at all. I've just come down to the conclusion that I have to let a cold/flu run it's course and if I have a sinus infection, (which I seem to get those more often than a cold/flu) I use a nasal sinus rinse to drain my sinuses.

[jyearta]

I also use a neti pot, using a saline solution when I have a sinus nfections. This helps, it washes the nasal passages.

[Junebug]

I also use a neti pot, using a saline solution when I have a sinus nfections. This helps, it washes the nasal passages.

Yes this is what I use! I don't like the one that is in the shape of a kettle so I use the squeeze bottle.

[seizingbeauty]

I was also told to avoid NeoCitrin by my pharmacist

[Emee]

I can't take any cold or flu meds. Even a Tylenol for pain will trigger a seizure at times. I use a nasal wash bottle & menthol lozenges for colds & sinus.

[Blue Cat]

My doc says they don't interact with the anti-epileptic drugs but from what you've all experienced sounds like some due. I pretty much stick with Dayquil or Tylenol Cold & Sinus, and I use the Neilmed (NetiPot squeeze bottles) as long as I can actually breath out of my nose. Chicken noodle soup....