Do Depression Medicines Affect Epilepsy?
All antidepressants decrease seizure threshold to some degree. That means they make it slightly easier for a seizure to happen. However, if your depression is improved, your seizure frequency may actually get better. Some of these medicines, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are relatively safe and offer help and hope for an improved quality of life. Doctors try to strike a balance between the risk that someone will have more seizures when taking these medicines versus the risk of serious harm due to depression.
