What Cold Medicine Can Be Taken with Epilepsy?

If your child takes seizure medicine, you may wonder which cold or flu medicines are safe. In most cases, simple fever and pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are ok to take. But many multi-symptom cold or cough products and some decongestants or allergy medicines can interfere with seizure medications or increase seizure risk.

• Ask the pharmacist; they can check for drug interactions immediately.
• Call your child’s neurologist or epilepsy clinic if you’re unsure. Many clinics offer nurse lines for quick questions.
• Ask during a routine visit, before your child is sick, to be prepared for cold and flu season.

Quick Guidelines

Usually safe:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help with fever and aches.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) don’t prevent febrile seizures but can help your child feel more comfortable.  
• Follow dosing directions for your child’s age and weight.  

Use with caution:

• Multi-symptom cold products often contain several active ingredients.
• Dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and phenylephrine (common in cough and decongestant medicines) can sometimes raise seizure risk.
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and other first-generation antihistamines may cause drowsiness or lower seizure threshold.

If any of these appear on the label, check with your child’s healthcare provider first.

Avoid or ask first:

• Medicines that make your child unusually sleepy, restless, or confused.
• Any product your child’s doctor has listed as unsafe for your child’s specific seizure medicine or type of epilepsy.

Many cold medicines already include acetaminophen, which may be hidden among other ingredients. Giving an extra dose separately can cause overdose. Always total the daily amount before giving your child more.

Why It Matters

Some over-the-counter (OTC) ingredients can change how seizure medicines work or make seizures more likely. That’s why reading labels and checking with your care team is important.

Research and reports have linked certain decongestants and cough suppressants to rare seizure-related side effects, especially at high doses. Caution is the best approach.

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When Your Child Is Sick

1. Treat fever or pain with acetaminophen or ibuprofen (if approved by your doctor).
2. Check the label for dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, or diphenhydramine before giving any cold medicine.
3. Contact your neurology team right away if your child has more seizures, new seizure types, or becomes unusually sleepy or confused after taking a medicine.

Contact the Epilepsy & Seizures Helpline for help from trained specialists.