Drugs that may lower seizure threshold

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Category Drug Comment
Antiasthmatics aminophylline
theophylline
Especially but not exclusively above therapeutic levels
Especially but not exclusively above therapeutic levels
Antibiotics isoniazid
lindane
metronidazole
nalidixic acid
penicillins
Vitamin B6 supplement may protect
Especially with renal failure
Antidepressants tricyclics
serotonin-specific agents
bupropion
Rarely a practical problem;
desipramine may be preferable
General anesthetics enfluraneketamine  
Hormones insulin
prednisone
estrogen
By means of hypoglycemia
By means of hypocalcemia
Especially without progesterone
Immunosuppressants chlorambucil
cyclosporine a
 
Local anesthetics lidocaine
bupivicaine
procaine
 
Narcotics fentanyl
meperidine
pentazocine
propoxyphene
 
Psychostimulants amphetamines
cocaine
methylphenidate
phenylpropanolamine
 
Neuroleptics clozapine
phenothiazines
butyrophenones
1%-4% of all patients, depending on dose
Molindone, thioridazine, fluphenazine least likely
Other anticholinergics
anticholinesterases
antihistamines
baclofen
heavy metals
hyperbaric oxygen
lithium
mefenamic acid
oral hypoglycemics
oxytocin
By means of water intoxication