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Herbal Chart
The Epilepsy Coalition of Southern New York does not advocate the use of these agents. Every patient should advise his/her neurologist of any and all supplements and/or herbs that may impact on their neurological condition. It is imperative to advise your physician if you are taking or considering any of these agents. This chart was developed as a service to clients.
References:
1. "Herbal Remedies, Dietary Supplements, and Seizures", A. Tyagi & N. Delanty, Epilepsia, Vol. 44 No. 2, 2003, pp. 228-235.
2. "MINCEP Medical Alert: Don't Mix These!" MINCEP Epilepsy Care, www.mincep.com/herbs, 2005
3. PDR for Herbal Medicines, Medical Economics, Montvale, NJ, Third Edition, 2004
4. PDR for Nutritional Supplement, Medical Economics, Montvale, NJ, 2001
5. MedlinePlus: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html
6. 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
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Herb/Supplement |
Description |
| Asa Foetida | Seizures possible in susceptible individuals. (3) | | Aspartame (saccharin) | Associated with seizures when used in doses >34 mg/kg body weight or in patients with PKU, an inherited blood disorder. (1) | | Bearberry (uva ursi) | May cause seizures. (1) | | Betal Nuts | Seizure has been reported with high doses. (5) | | Black Cohosh | One seizure case reported. (1) Should be used cautiously in patients with history of seizure disorder. (5) | | Black Tea | Seizure has been reported with caffeine overdose. (5) | | Boron | Seizures have been reported with boron toxicity. Chronic boron exposure may cause seizures. (5) | | Clove | When taken orally in large doses, in undiluted oil form, or clove cigarettes, side effects may include seizures. (5) | | Coffee / Caffeine | Caution is advised with large quantities of caffeine / coffee for persons with higher disposition to seizures. (3) | | Colloidal Silver | Side effects from use may include seizures. (6) | | Copper | Toxicity may lead to a seizure. (5) | | Creatine | Seizures may occur. (5) | | Damiana | Lowers seizure threshold. (2) Report of tetanus-like seizures. (3) | | Ephedra (N-methyl ephedrine, pseudo-ephedrine, and phenyl-propamine) | May cause or worsen seizures. (1) | | Ergot | Overdose can lead to seizures. (3) | | Eucalyptus | Seizures are possible when oil is taken orally. (5) | | European Water Hemlock | Symptoms of poisoning include severe tonic-clonic seizures. (3) | | Evening Primrose Oil | May lower seizure threshold. Has the potential to manifest temporal lobe epilepsy. (3) | | Ginkgo Biloba | May reduce seizure threshold. Seizures and coma have occurred after ingestion of Ginkgo seeds. (3) | | Ginseng | May lower seizure threshold. (2) | | Goldenseal/berberine | May lower seizure threshold. (2) Overdose may lead to seizures. (3) | | Green Tea | 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- propanolamine and pseudoephedrine) | One case of repeated generalized seizures within 30 minutes of ingestion. (1) | | Jaborandi/pilocarpine | Poisoning from pilocarpine eye drops can cause seizures. (3) | | Juniper Oil | Reported to induce seizures. (7) | | Kava Kava | Generalized tonic/clonic seizures from toxicity and acute withdrawal. (2) | | MaHuang (ephedrine and pseudoephedrine) | Reported to cause seizures. (1) | | Melatonin | May lead to increased or decreased seizure activity. (4) | | Metabolife 356 | Seizures reported. (2) May cause temporal lobe epilepsy.(3) | | Molybdenum | One report of seizures from acute clinical poisoning. (4) | | Monkshood | May cause seizures. (1) | | Oleander | Eating the leaves, flower, or bark of common oleander may cause seizures. (5) | | Pennyroyal Oil | Toxicity may cause seizures. (5) | | Phen-fen (mahuang and ephedrine) | Lowers seizure threshold. (2) | | Phosphates | Excessive intake can cause seizures. (5) | | Sage | Extended intake or overdose can cause seizures. (3) | | St. John’s Wort | Seizures reported. (2) | | Starflower / Borage | May lower seizure threshold.(2) | | Thuja Oil | Causes seizures and in high doses leads to tonic-clonic seizures. (3) | | Uva Ursi (see Bearberry) | Reported to cause seizures. (1) | | Water-Hemlock | One case of seizures reported. (1) | | Wormwood | May lower seizure threshold. (3) | | Yohimbe | Reported to cause seizures. (1) May change seizure threshold (5) |
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References:
1. "Herbal Remedies, Dietary Supplements, and Seizures", A. Tyagi & N. Delanty, Epilepsia, Vol. 44 No. 2, 2003, pp. 228-235.
2. PDR For Herbal Medicines, Medical Economics, Montvale, NJ, Third Edition, 2004
3. PDR For Nutritional Supplements, Medical Economics, Montvale, NJ, 2001.
4. MedlinePlus: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html
* - Potentially Fatal Interaction
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If you're taking this anti-seizure drug -Brand (generic): |
…be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any of these herbs, supplements or alternative medicines: |
| Depakote (divalproex sodium) / Depakene (valproic acid) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba (1); Kava Kava, Starflower (Borage), Yohimbe (2) ; Chaparral, Niacin (4) | | Diastat Rectal Delivery System, Diazepam Intensol, Valium(diazepam) | 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) | | Dilantin (phenytoin) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Mentat, Peony Root (paeoniae radix), Shankpushpi, Starflower (Borage) (1); St. John’s Wort (2) ; Piperine,; Horse Chestnut (4), Vitamin B6 (3)(4) | | Felbatol (felbamate) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1) | | Gabitril (tiagabine) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1); Red Yeast (4) | | Keppra (levetiracetam) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1) | | Klonopin (clonazepam) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1) ; Kava Kava, (2) | | Lamictal (lamotrigine) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1) | | Lyrica (pregabalin) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1) | | Mysoline (primidone) | 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, Polypodium (4); Mega doses of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) (3)(4) | | Neurontin (gabapentin) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1); Red Yeast (4) | | phenobarbital (phenobarbital) | 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, Polypodium (4); Mega doses of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) (3)(4) | | Tegretol, Carbatrol (carbamazepine) | 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) | | Topamax (topiramate) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1) ; Kava Kava, (2) | | Tranxene (clorazepate) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1) ; Kava Kava, (2) | | Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1) ; Kava Kava, (2) | | Zarontin (ethosuximide) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1) ; Kava Kava, (2) | | Zonegran (zonisamide) | Evening Primrose, Ginkgo Biloba, Starflower (Borage) (1) ; Kava Kava, (2) |
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