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Does Benadryl Cause Seizures?

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Posted on Sat, 26 Jul 2014
Question: Hi dr my name is XXXX On July 2nd i went into the ER throwing up uncontrollably with a headache. I get this sometimes, it randomly happens hasn't lead to a seizure in a long time. Some doctors think its abdominal seizures others are saying its GI. I was released then got home about an hour went by then i had 2 seizures home an 1 in the ER as soon as we got back. Since I have been home I havent felt "myself" i really havent felt "all there" am I going to come back through? When I was in there originally for the vomitting before all the seizures they gave me Zofran, Diluadid & a shot of Bynadrl. Could this have caused me to have the seizures? I have been in there plenty of times without having seizures just the GI problems. Just this time there was an extra medicine which was the Bynadryl.. Could this have caused these seizures? before I left I was hydrated my blood levels were excellent. Does it sound like Byndryl was or could be the culprut behind these violent seizures I had wednesday night?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Benadryl is not the cause of seizures

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your symptoms.

My opinion is that benadryl (diphenhydramine) is not the cause of your seizures.

We need to evaluate the underlying cause of your seizures. This would require doing an MRI scan of brain (epilepsy protocol) and electroencephalography (EEG).

Even your earlier episodes of abdominal pain, vomiting and headache could have been manifestations of seizures of complex partial type.

I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.

Wishing you good health,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (11 hours later)
Are you sure bynadryl could not have induced ANYTYPE of seizure because once they injected me with bynadryl my oxygen everything dropped they were talking reversing me out of the diludid because I was so sedated. Diluadid has NEVER done that to me before an they treated my stomach with the same amount of it a bunch of times before so I know I can handle the Zofran an Diluadid. Bynadral on the other hand was a big question mark but when i got home about an hour or 2 after i had my 3 seizures. This is why i feel it is bynadryl an should be now put in my allergy charts agreed?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Benadryl is not the direct cause.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back and explaining the sequence of events.

Though it appears that seizures occurred after the benadryl injection and that should be the cause, this fact is not supported by the published literature or my personal clinical experience.

Benadryl can be indirectly linked to the seizures. It may cause sedation and drowsiness, leading to poor breathing effort. this in result can reduce oxygen supply to brain (hypoxia of brain), which, can result in seizures.

I hope it helps.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (9 hours later)
Ok thank you dr
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Thank you.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you and best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sudhir Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 6232 Questions

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Does Benadryl Cause Seizures?

Brief Answer: Benadryl is not the cause of seizures Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for posting your query. I have noted your symptoms. My opinion is that benadryl (diphenhydramine) is not the cause of your seizures. We need to evaluate the underlying cause of your seizures. This would require doing an MRI scan of brain (epilepsy protocol) and electroencephalography (EEG). Even your earlier episodes of abdominal pain, vomiting and headache could have been manifestations of seizures of complex partial type. I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information. Wishing you good health, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in