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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Could Be The Reason For Having A Seizure After Taking Epinephrine (epi Pen) Injection?

I had an allergic reaction to being in contact with poison sumac from carrying firewood in the house over a month ago. The emergency room at urgent care gave me an epi pen injection - epinephrine which caused me a seizure. Today, my dentist will be giving a shot to me for a tooth decay in the side back of my mouth. Not sure what shot it will be.. but little nervous it may have same ingredients or similar to the epinephrine injection.
Mon, 6 Jan 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Anaphylactic / Allergic shock is caused whenever the heart is unable to pump enough blood throughout the body due to an allergic reaction, weakening of the heart muscle, or shrinking of the veins (vasodilation). Injection of epinephrine into the blood stream will cause an increase of blood flow throughout the body.

While epinephrine/ adrenaline does increase aortic, cerebral, and carotid circulation pressure, it lowers carotid blood flow and end-tidal CO2 or ETCO2 levels which may lower seizure threshold.

Its one of the reason many video games and action movies have seizure warning because when we are excited adrenaline is released from Adrenal grands that results lower seizure threshold. Strong emotions such as fear or anger cause epinephrine to be released into the bloodstream, which causes an increase in heart rate, muscle strength, blood pressure, and sugar metabolism. This reaction, known as the “Flight or Fight Response” prepares the body for strenuous activity. Many patients had adverse reaction which which have warranted action by the FDA to attempt to ban this drug.
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What Could Be The Reason For Having A Seizure After Taking Epinephrine (epi Pen) Injection?

Anaphylactic / Allergic shock is caused whenever the heart is unable to pump enough blood throughout the body due to an allergic reaction, weakening of the heart muscle, or shrinking of the veins (vasodilation). Injection of epinephrine into the blood stream will cause an increase of blood flow throughout the body. While epinephrine/ adrenaline does increase aortic, cerebral, and carotid circulation pressure, it lowers carotid blood flow and end-tidal CO2 or ETCO2 levels which may lower seizure threshold. Its one of the reason many video games and action movies have seizure warning because when we are excited adrenaline is released from Adrenal grands that results lower seizure threshold. Strong emotions such as fear or anger cause epinephrine to be released into the bloodstream, which causes an increase in heart rate, muscle strength, blood pressure, and sugar metabolism. This reaction, known as the “Flight or Fight Response” prepares the body for strenuous activity. Many patients had adverse reaction which which have warranted action by the FDA to attempt to ban this drug.