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Does Lipitor Cause Seizures?

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Posted on Thu, 7 Jul 2016
Question: On April I started 10 mg atorvastation. On March 27, my speech was slurred. On April 5 speech slurred. On XXXXXXX 6 speech slurred. Three day eeg showed seizure activity. Can Lipitor cause seizures.m
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be due to lipitor

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
It is very unlikely to get seizure due to lipitor as it has some antiepileptics property.
Slurring of speech may be a manifestation of stroke and it is associated with seizures.
Other causes may be electrolyte imbalance, any other drug, brain lesion.
You should get detailed examination by a neurologist.
Get routine blood investigation like sugar, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, liver function test, renal function test. Get Mri brain done.
You can also change brand of atorvastatin if symptoms are appearing just after taking medication.
Why was it prescribed and what other medical illness are present?
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (1 hour later)
On April 13, I took antabuse. On April 15 I had two glasses of wine. Could the antabuse have caused the sezures.Sequence of events
April 13 Antabuse
April 15 two glasses of wine. Rushed to hospital. MRI showed no stroke
April 20 started Lipitor
April 27 slurred speech
May 5 slurred speech
May 16 through 19 EEG
Interpretation says seizures.
The EEG report says

Automated spike detections: All automated spike detections were reviewed. Occasional bursts of sharp waves as long as frequent temporal phase reversals wee observed at T5/T6

Interpretation: The patient had intermittent paroxymal sharp wave discharges in the left temporal region without definite clinical accompaniment. No definite epileptogenic activity was seen. There were irritative features potentially epileptogenic. Clinical correlation is recommended.

Does this men I had seizures.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Possibility of drug related seizure

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Antabuse and alcohol intake leads to multiple side effects and seizure is one of them.
Stop Antabuse.
Consult your treating neurologist and inform regarding this.
Eeg may be abnormal. Mri brain is required.
Antiepileptics may be required for 3-6 months if related to drug and alcohol.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (21 hours later)
Thank you.
Will the seizures stop
I am no longer taking Anti buse
Nor am I drinking.
i have told neurologist
I will ask him to do MRI
What do you mean eg may be abnormal.
Also is mild seizure how will I know if I am having one
Is no seizure medicine addictive.
If seizure related to alcohol/anti use will they stop since I am no longer drinking or taking antibusr.What do you mean eg may be abnormal.
Also is mild seizure how will I know if I am having one
Is no seizure medicine addictive.
If seizure related to alcohol/anti use will they stop since I am no longer drinking or taking antibusr.To recap these are questions
Will seizures eventually stop since I am no longer drinking or taking antibuse
How will I know if I am having seizure
What do you mean EEG imay be abnormal
Are you saying it could be incorrect
Finally if I take seizure medicine is it addictive and are there any side effects
Does the medicine stop the seizures

doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Continue treatment as advised

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes, the seizure stops after discontinuation of alcohol and drugs, but, risk remains for a few days and treatment is advised for atleast 3-6 months.
Clinical symptoms like impairment of consciousness, uprolling of eyes, frothing, tongue bite are suggestive of seizures.
EEG may have some artifacts too. In case of history of seizures and such finding, it is taken as abnormal.
Medications are non addictive and side effects are according to drug.
Most common side effects are skin rash, dizziness, decreased concentration, weight gain.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (26 minutes later)
Thank you very very much. You answered more questions than my neurologist.One final question. Could the EEG results be from something else. I have not drank or taken Antabuse since April 15. Yet a month later the EEG showed the results that I showed you.The only thing I feel is numb tongu
Also smal shakes/tremors
Are those seizures
Could the EEG findings be related to a stroke.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get investigated as advised and take treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Antabuse related seizure may appear late also.
Eeg is only supporting evidence for seizure.
The diagnosis is made my clinical presentation and eeg helps in identifying any abnormal discharge, spikes, slowing. Eeg also helps in identifying the region of brain affected. Eeg also helps in identifying any particular epilepsy syndrome. Eeg is not specific for stroke and so a diagnosis of stroke can't be made on this basis.
The minor symptoms you are suggesting is not specific for seizure and may be found after alcohol withdrawl too.
Such findings may be present in partial seizure.

Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (46 minutes later)
Will the seizures definitely stop. When should second EEG be had
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Continue medication, no need of repeat eeg

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
In most cases, seizure stops but may reoccur in 10-15 % cases.
No need for repeat eeg if no recurrence occurs.
It can be done when stopping of treatment is to be considered.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Neeraj Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2259 Questions

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Does Lipitor Cause Seizures?

Brief Answer: Unlikely to be due to lipitor Detailed Answer: Hello, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. It is very unlikely to get seizure due to lipitor as it has some antiepileptics property. Slurring of speech may be a manifestation of stroke and it is associated with seizures. Other causes may be electrolyte imbalance, any other drug, brain lesion. You should get detailed examination by a neurologist. Get routine blood investigation like sugar, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, liver function test, renal function test. Get Mri brain done. You can also change brand of atorvastatin if symptoms are appearing just after taking medication. Why was it prescribed and what other medical illness are present? Hope you found the answer helpful. Do get back to me for further queries. Regards Dr N Kumar Neurologist