Epi and Seizures?

[MellyOne]

I had a patient have an anaphylatic reaction to a med yesterday, went to ER (I'm in home care), they gave her prednisone, albuterol and epi and I had given her 2 doses of Benedryl prior to transport. Shortly after the epi, she had a 2.5 minute generalized seizure. She had not had one that lasted that long before according to her parents, and she hadn't had one at all in several years. Anyone experience this before? Is there any link between Epi and seizure activity in mildly susceptible individuals? Or could it have been a continuing reaction to the inital med? She is an adolescent child with extensive medical history (Trach, GTube, VP shunt). I'm confused and concerned...

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Man - poor girl! Sounds like this patient had a lot of things going that could have decreased her seizure threshold - the seizure history, the hydrocephalus, the stress from the anaphylaxis, possbly the stimulant effects of epi and albuterol, and the Benadryl. Interestingly, prednisone was once used (around the 70's) to treat some seizure disorders. Also, while Benadryl can precipitate seizure activity in some kids, it is also used to treat EPS reactions (which can look a lot like seizures in some cases) to certain meds like phenthiazines.

A very interesting situation which could provoke good discussion here. Thanks for posting!