A new study is suggesting that SSRI antidepressants may help to alleviate seizures in epileptics. This study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in San Diego on December 3, 2012.

The study, which was led by Dr. Ramses Ribot of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, was conducted with researchers monitoring how epileptics responded to being treated with SSRIs and SNRI medications. What they found was that 86 percent of the patients experienced fewer seizures. Ribot believes that this research, while still needing to be confirmed with future studies, may go a long way to helping doctors find alternative treatments for epilepsy from what is being offered now.

“This study provides additional support for the safety and effectiveness of antidepressant medications in patients with epilepsy and comorbid [co-existing] depression,” said Dr. Orrin Devinsky, director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. “The findings of Ribot and colleagues provide clear support that depressed patients with epilepsy should be treated with effective doses of these medications. Further, these medications can improve depression and quality of life and, in many patients, reduce seizure frequency.”

Epilepsy is often treated with anti-seizure drugs like Topamax, which ironically is linked to the same dangerous side effects as antidepressants. Both antidepressants and Topamax have been linked to babies being born with birth defects, including PPHN, oral clefts, spina bifida and neural tube defects, when the mothers take the pills while pregnant. This may force doctors to have to look elsewhere for safe epilepsy treatments, since the combination of antidepressants and Topamax may increase the child’s risks substantially.

If your baby has suffered from birth defects after being exposed to Topamax in-utero, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Topamax lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your child’s injury.