Because seizure medications work in the central nervous system most cause some degree of drowsiness or dizziness at least at the beginning of therapy.
Cat seizure medication side effects.
Though some veterinarians do use them to control seizures and epilepsy in cats there is not a lot known about how these medications affect cats on a long term basis and what types of side effects to expect.
What are common seizure medication side effects.
Fortunately a single seizure is usually of short duration and your cat is unconscious while convulsing.
Most side effects are temporary and disappear as the cat becomes used to the medication.
Mild side effects are common particularly at the beginning of treatment or following changes in the regime.
The most common anticonvulsants prescribed to cats include phenobarbital and potassium bromide.
Also most anti seizure medications can induce suicidal thoughts or actions and or bring on or worsen depression.
Medications such as chlorazepate pregabalin and gabapentin have not been well studied in cats.
Flea and tick medication sprays dips and shampoos can contain a chemical called pyrethrin that can cause a cat to have a seizure.
Common side effects of keppra include.
Seizures happen when abnormal electrochemical activity occurs in the brain.
It can be very upsetting to see your cat have a seizure.
This chemical is often used in over the counter flea treatments especially ones that are designed for dogs and can be toxic to cats.
Infection neurosis drowsiness asthenia headache nasopharyngitis nervousness abnormal behavior aggressive behavior agitation anxiety apathy depersonalization depression.
The most common cause of a seizure in a cat is toxin exposure.
Data sources include ibm watson micromedex updated 2 sep 2020 cerner multum updated 1 sep 2020 wolters kluwer updated.
Meador and his colleagues describe the results of a detailed study designed to look at how antiseizure medications affect a person s thinking 1 they looked at two medications carbamazepine the trade name is tegretol or carbatrol and levetiracetam the trade name is keppra.
This document contains side effect information about levetiracetam.
In their article neuropsychological and neurophysiologic effects of carbamazepine and levetiracetam dr.
Cats are often treated with anticonvulsant medication to reduce the number and severity of seizures.
This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice diagnosis or treatment.
Your cat may experience side effects including fatigue and unsteadiness on his feet but these should subside after he gets used to the medication.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects including.
The most common side effect is sedation or lethargy but other signs can also occur.
They can occur as a single event as a cluster of seizures over a short period or on a recurring basis every few weeks or months.
