Medication-Related Seizure Risk

Antipsychotic and Antiviral Medications

• Antipsychotic medications lower the seizure threshold in a dose-dependent manner, with most having a seizure risk of <1% at therapeutic doses 1
• Certain antiviral medications, such as amantadine and rimantadine, have a documented increased risk of seizures in patients with seizure disorders, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2, 3, 4

Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Medications

• Buspirone can be safely used in combination with meperidine for shivering management during targeted temperature management, with caution in those at risk of seizure, particularly at high doses (30 mg), according to the European Heart Journal guidelines 5
• Buspirone is recommended for patients with mild to moderate agitation, with a typical starting dose of 5 mg twice daily and maximum dosage of 20 mg three times daily, as stated by the American Academy of Family Physicians 6
• Buspirone may take 2-4 weeks to become effective, making it suitable for chronic anxiety rather than acute agitation, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians 6
• Bupropion is contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders, as recommended by the American College of Physicians 7