Toxins
There is an array of chemical toxins that can cause seizures. This includes prescription drugs that may disrupt hormonal balance and function within the brain. According to Epilepsy.com, alcohols and glycols, such as propylene glycol (which is present in some foods and food additives) can cause seizures.
Here is a quick glance at toxins that may induce seizures:
• Alcohols and glycols
• Local anesthetics – lidocaine, procaine, tetracaine and others
• General anesthetics – enflurane, ketamine, isoflurane
• Antibiotics – gentamicin, metronidazole, penicillins, norfloxacin, and others
• Anticonvulsants
• Antihistamines – brompheniramine, diphenhydramine, and others
• Anticholinergics
• Cyclic antidepressants
• Other antidepressants
• Lithium
• Antifungals
• Antineoplastics
• Antivirals – acyclovir, amantadine
• Antiparasitics
• Asphyxiants – acetylene, butane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, propane, methane, ethane
• Drug withdrawal
• Hypoglycemics – insulin
• Immunosuppressives
• Inhalants – carbon monoxide
• Insecticide and insect repellent
• Certain metals
• Mushrooms
• Muscle relaxants
• Opioids
• Certain plants that are heavy alkaloids, such as deadly nightshade, bleeding hearts, and angel’s trumpet or those known to be poisonous, like hemlock, yew, and tobacco
• Cyanide
• and more.
What can be gleaned through this list is that anything that can alter the electrical activity in the mind or reach a toxic level within the body may increase the risk of epilepsy.
