Maureen,
You may want to Google "antihistimines and anti epileptic drugs"
I think you have it backwards. If you're on any type of AEDs, you should avoid anything with antihistimine in it like most cold and flu meds.
It is documented that antihistimine is a seizure trigger if combined with any AEDs.
Originally Posted by RanMan :
Forward2007,
I just had to add my piece, it's from an earlier post:
check with your pharmasist or Dr. but if you are on ANY anti-epileptic drugs, definately don't take any over the counter cold or flu meds (anything containing antihystimine and/or decongestant as the chemical reaction CAN be fatal.)
I speak from 28 years experience of being on anti-epileptic drugs.
I was told (and experienced myself) internal bleeding or nose bleeds from most headache meds exept Tylonol. That's the only one that I can take that doesn't react to my seizure meds.
I can't take aspirin, IB Profen, Advil, Exederin or Motrin, just Tylonol.
I took 2 Advil once by mistake and had massive nose bleeds that wouldn't stop. At the time I didn't think it had anything to do with the meds then it happened again just a couple of days before I had to see my neurologist. I happened to mention this to him and he was very concerned and said that I was lucky that I didn't bleed out through my stomach.
This is more of a problem in my case because I also take meds for my ulcerative colitis.
This warning is not documented on any OTC cold/flu meds literature.
I don't know why the FDA doesn't make this info manditory.
Regards
Randy
Re: OTDs, I was really surprised to see on the local news today that the FDA is finally making it PUBLIC about the dangers of mixing over the counter drugs with other OTDs as well as with perscription drugs.
Finally it's being looked at more in depth as a result of the death of Heath Fletcher.
This is what I've been saying all along ~ antihistimines can be fatal if mixed with perscription drugs to cure things like the common cold.
Most ppl know this but IMO, it should be law to have this information noted on the packaging.
It's like everything else, someone has to die first.
Randy
__________________
R. M. Kamiski1, D. ókowska2, M. Kozicka3, Z. Kleinrok3 and S. J. Czuczwar1, 4
(1) Isotope Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural Medicine, Lublin, Poland, PL
(2) Department of Hygiene, Medical University, Lublin, Poland, PL
(3) Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland, PL
(4) Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland, PL
Received: 8 November 2002 Accepted: 7 February 2003 Published online: 9 May 2003
Summary. Endogenous histamine has been reported to be involved in regulation of seizure susceptibility. Enhancement of histamine neurotransmission engendered by L-histidine treatment produces anticonvulsant effects in experimental animals. The present study investigated the influence of L-histidine on the protective effects of carbamazepine and phenytoin against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice.
L-Histidine, administered at the doses that did not influence the threshold for electroconvulsions (250–500mg/kg), enhanced by nearly 30% the protective effects of carbamazepine against maximal electroshock-induced seizures. D-Histidine (1000mg/kg), an inactive isomer of histidine, was without any effect in this regard. L-Histidine (500mg/kg) also augmented the protective effects of phenytoin. Importantly, the enhancement of the anticonvulsant effects of these antiepileptic drugs produced by L-histidine co-administration was not associated with augmentation of their unwanted effects on memory and motor performance. A pharmacokinetic interaction was also excluded since the free plasma levels of these antiepileptics remained unchanged in the presence of L-histidine. It may be suggested that L-histidine could serve as a beneficial adjuvant for selected antiepileptic drugs.