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Does Lexipro Cause Seizure Disorder?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Nov 2015
Question: My doctor has just prescribed lexipro. I am currently taking 50 mg ultram 5-6 times per day. Is there a greater chance for seizure disorder mixing these two medications?
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Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Seratonin syndrome is high risk with the combination

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.

You have been taking tramadol (Ultram) 5-6 times daily and there is a drug to drug interaction with lexapro. There is an increase in having seratonin syndrome with the combination. This is not a seizure disorder but can cause mild symptoms to fatal symptoms. The mild symptoms would be hypertension, sweating and fever. And more severe symptoms including hypertension, fever above 106 seizures and vascular collapse. This syndrome can happen with any of the SSRI antidepressants including prozac, paxil or zoloft. There also a risk with SNRI like effexor or cymbalta.

My recommendation to you is not to take the lexapro. There is a significant risk since you are taking so much tramadol. A better choice of antidepressant would be wellbutrin. Talk with your doctor and decide between the two off you what would be your best choice in antidepressant.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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Does Lexipro Cause Seizure Disorder?

Brief Answer: Seratonin syndrome is high risk with the combination Detailed Answer: Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns. You have been taking tramadol (Ultram) 5-6 times daily and there is a drug to drug interaction with lexapro. There is an increase in having seratonin syndrome with the combination. This is not a seizure disorder but can cause mild symptoms to fatal symptoms. The mild symptoms would be hypertension, sweating and fever. And more severe symptoms including hypertension, fever above 106 seizures and vascular collapse. This syndrome can happen with any of the SSRI antidepressants including prozac, paxil or zoloft. There also a risk with SNRI like effexor or cymbalta. My recommendation to you is not to take the lexapro. There is a significant risk since you are taking so much tramadol. A better choice of antidepressant would be wellbutrin. Talk with your doctor and decide between the two off you what would be your best choice in antidepressant. I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions