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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could Discontinuing Sertraline Taken For Depression Have Caused Epilepsy ?

When I was 21 I started having a lot of seizures. I had not had any head injuries to cause this. Before the seizures started I was on sertraline for depression for a few months but stopped taking them overnight and didn't come off them gradually . Could this have caused my epilepsy as they only started after this .
Mon, 12 Jan 2015
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Neurologist 's  Response
I read your query carefully and I understand your concern.

However, antidepressants withdrawal, unlike other central nervous system acting drugs, is not associated with seizures.
Actually their use makes it in the contrary more likely to have a seizure (although the risk is lower for SSRI group where Sertraline belongs), so its discontinuation should in reality have either no effect at all or if any a good effect on seizures, not exacerbate them.

I hope to have been of help.
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Could Discontinuing Sertraline Taken For Depression Have Caused Epilepsy ?

I read your query carefully and I understand your concern. However, antidepressants withdrawal, unlike other central nervous system acting drugs, is not associated with seizures. Actually their use makes it in the contrary more likely to have a seizure (although the risk is lower for SSRI group where Sertraline belongs), so its discontinuation should in reality have either no effect at all or if any a good effect on seizures, not exacerbate them. I hope to have been of help.