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SEIZURE POTENTIAL OF
HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS AND
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES
The Epilepsy Society of Southern New York wants you to know that certain herbs, supplements and
alternative medicines can cause or worsen seizures and may interact with your medications. Before
taking any herb, supplement or alternative medicine, clear it with your doctor. The information in this
chart is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional
medical advice.
Seizure Potential
Seizures possible in susceptible individuals. 3 Associated with seizures when used in doses >34 mg/kg body weight or in patients with PKU, an inherited blood disorder. 1 Seizure has been reported with high doses. 5 One seizure case reported. 1 Should be used cautiously in patients with history of seizure disorder. 5 Seizure has been reported with caffeine overdose. 5 Seizures have been reported with boron toxicity. Chronic boron exposure may cause seizures. 5 When taken orally in large doses, in undiluted oil form, or clove cigarettes, side effects may include seizures. 5 Caution is advised with large quantities of caffeine / coffee for persons with higher disposition to seizures. 3 Side effects from use may include seizures. 6 Lowers seizure threshold.2 Report of tetanus-like seizures. 3 pseudo-ephedrine, and phenyl-propamine) Ergot Seizures are possible when oil is taken orally. 5 Symptoms of poisoning include severe tonic-clonic seizures. 3 May lower seizure threshold. Has the potential to manifest temporal lobe epilepsy. 3 May reduce seizure threshold. Seizures and coma have occurred after ingestion of Ginkgo seeds. 3 May lower seizure threshold.2 Overdose may lead to seizures. 3 May lower seizure threshold if more than 3 cups per day are consumed.2 Seizures have been reported with overdose. 5 Guarana (caffeine and theophylline) May lower seizure threshold. 2 Histalet Forte (caffeine, phenyl- One case of repeated generalized seizures within 30 minutes of Poisoning from pilocarpine eye drops can cause seizures. 3 Generalized tonic/clonic seizures from toxicity and acute withdrawal. 2 May lead to increased or decreased seizure activity. 4 Seizures reported. 2 May cause temporal lobe epilepsy.3 One report of seizures from acute clinical poisoning. 4 Eating the leaves, flower, or bark of common oleander may cause seizures. 5 Extended intake or overdose can cause seizures. 3 Causes seizures and in high doses leads to tonic-clonic seizures. 3 Reported to cause seizures. 1 May change seizure threshold 5 “Herbal Remedies, Dietary Supplements, and Seizures”, A. Tyagi & N. Delanty, Epilepsia, Vol. 44 No. 2, 2003, pp. 228-235. “MINCEP Medical Alert: Don’t Mix These!” MINCEP Epilepsy Care, www.mincep.com/herbs, 2005 PDR for Herbal Medicines, Medical Economics, Montvale, NJ, Third Edition, 2004 PDR for Nutritional Supplement, Medical Economics, Montvale, NJ, 2001 www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine www.nccam.nih.gov/health/alerts/silver/silver.pdf 7. “Toxins And Drugs Reported To Induce Seizures,” BS Koppel, www.epilepsy.com/professionals INTERACTIONS OF ANTI-SEIZURE DRUGS
WITH HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS AND
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES
The Epilepsy Society of Southern New York wants you to know that certain herbs, supplements and
alternative medicines can cause or worsen seizures and may interact with your medications. Before
taking any herb, supplement or alternative medicine, clear it with your doctor. The information in this
chart is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional
medical advice.
If you’re taking this anti-
…be sure to talk to your doctor before
seizure drug –Brand
taking any of these herbs, supplements or
(generic):
alternative medicines:
Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba 1; Kava Kava, Starflower (Borage), Yohimbe 2 ; Chaparral, Niacin 4 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1; Kava Kava 2; Melatonin, 3; Bitter Almond, Bromelain, Calendula, Chamomile, Danshen, Eucalyptus Oil, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Niacin, Polypodium 4 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Mentat, Peony Root (paeoniae radix), Shankpushpi, Starflower (Borage) 1; St. John’s Wort 2 ; Piperine,; Horse Chestnut4, Vitamin B6 3,4 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba Starflower (Borage) 1 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1; Red Yeast 4 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1; Kava Kava, 2 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1 Eucalyptus Oil, Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Pyrrolizidine (Comfrey)*, Starflower (Borage), Thujone (from wormwood, sage) 1; Kava Kava 2; Bitter Almond, Black Tea, Bromelain, Calendula, Chamomile, Green Tea, Polypodium4; Mega doses of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 3,4 Eucalyptus Oil, Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Pyrrolizidine (Comfrey)*, Starflower (Borage), Thujone (from wormwood, sage) 1; Kava Kava 2; Bitter Almond, Black Tea, Bromelain, Calendula, Chamomile, Green Tea, Polypodium4; Mega doses of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 3,4 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1; Red Yeast 4 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Grapefruit Juice, Mentat, Septilin, Sho-Seiryu-to, Starflower (Borage) 1; Psyllium, Yohimbe 2; Vitamin C w/grapefruit flavonoids 3; Black Tea, Green Tea, Niacin, Psyllium, St. John’s Wort 4 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1; Kava Kava, 2 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1; Kava Kava, 2 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1; Kava Kava, 2 Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) 1; Kava Kava, 2 “Herbal Remedies, Dietary Supplements, and Seizures”, A. Tyagi & N. Delanty, Epilepsia, Vol. 44 No. 2, 2003, pp. 228-235. PDR For Herbal Medicines, Medical Economics, Montvale, NJ, Third Edition, 2004 PDR For Nutritional Supplements, Medical Economics, Montvale, NJ, 2001. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

Source: http://www.learnaboutepilepsy.com/pdfs/herbal_chart.pdf