pharmacy, *important info: Claritin and people with epilepsy*

*important info: Claritin and people with epilepsy*

Author	Message
Sarah Pleasa #1 / 6	important info: Claritin and people with epilepsy If you are a person who has allergies and also has a history of seizures, I feel that you should be aware of this. A friend was prescribed Claritin D twice this year for allergy symptoms. Both times she had prolonged grand mal seizures within a few hours of taking the first dose. We were not told that Claritin could induce seizures, but both times stopping the Claritin also stopped the prolonged seizures. (She normally has occasional one- to three-minute seizures.) Information about Claritin is available at " http://www.*.com/ ;. This information notes that seizures were reported rarely as an adverse reaction to Claritin. For those of you who don't know stats, all this means is that there weren't as many incidences of seizures as there were of other reactions. If you are a medical professional treating a person who has allergies and seizures, please inform your patients of this possible reaction. Sincerely, Sarah Pleasant Epilepsy Resources: http://www.*.com/
Mon, 01 Mar 1999 03:00:00 GMT

Richard and Victoria Snyde #2 / 6	important info: Claritin and people with epilepsy Quote: > If you are a person who has allergies and also has a history of seizures, I > feel that you should be aware of this. A friend was prescribed Claritin D > twice this year for allergy symptoms. Both times she had prolonged grand mal > seizures within a few hours of taking the first dose. We were not told that > Claritin could induce seizures, but both times stopping the Claritin also > stopped the prolonged seizures. (She normally has occasional one- to > three-minute seizures.) I don't know the medical history of your friend but isn't it more likely that the seizures were precipitated by the pseudoephedrine in the Claritin-D and not the Claritin itself. Loratidine is a peripheral H1 antagonist and has very little CNS activity and the little activity it may have would be unlikely to precipitate seizures. Pseudoephedrine, in high doses, can precipitate seizures, however. I would also be curious to know what other medications your friend was on at the time (including over-the-counter meds) or any other medical problems she might have. I hope this was helpful. Richard Snyder, RPh
Tue, 02 Mar 1999 03:00:00 GMT

sue loeche #3 / 6	important info: Claritin and people with epilepsy Quote: > > If you are a person who has allergies and also has a history of seizures, > I > > feel that you should be aware of this. A friend was prescribed Claritin > D > > twice this year for allergy symptoms. Both times she had prolonged grand > mal > > seizures within a few hours of taking the first dose. We were not told > that > > Claritin could induce seizures, but both times stopping the Claritin also > > stopped the prolonged seizures. (She normally has occasional one- to > > three-minute seizures.) > I don't know the medical history of your friend but isn't it more likely > that the seizures were precipitated by the pseudoephedrine in the > Claritin-D and not the Claritin itself. Loratidine is a peripheral H1 > antagonist and has very little CNS activity and the little activity it may > have would be unlikely to precipitate seizures. Pseudoephedrine, in high > doses, can precipitate seizures, however. I would also be curious to know > what other medications your friend was on at the time (including > over-the-counter meds) or any other medical problems she might have. I > hope this was helpful. > Richard Snyder, RPh
Tue, 02 Mar 1999 03:00:00 GMT

DRPHARMA #4 / 6	important info: Claritin and people with epilepsy Dear Sara.. I'm not surprised....your heading says Claritin..but in the body of the letter you mention Claritin D..a "horse of a different color". Since Claritin D contains a decongestant, pseudoephedrine, known to be a potent CNS stimulant, I would have been surprised if she didn't seize. It is well-known and documented that decongestants are known to lower the threshold of seizures, allowing for problems like your friends to occur. I've had several seizure patients within my facility take Claritin (as it is the only non-sedating antihistamine I will allow in the facility) without any adverse effects. However, your friend may be better off with a nasal steroid or cromolyn sodium spray, both which have little potential for absorption and will not interfere with her epileptic condition.
Sat, 06 Mar 1999 03:00:00 GMT

#5 / 6	important info: Claritin and people with epilepsy
Fri, 19 Jun 1992 00:00:00 GMT

LADYLUCK #6 / 6	important info: Claritin and people with epilepsy Couldn't your friends seizures have been due to the pseudoepinephrine? I have a history of seizures and can't take the Claritin D but can take the plain Claritin.
Sat, 13 Mar 1999 03:00:00 GMT

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