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What Causes Weakness In Legs And Dizziness?

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Posted on Wed, 25 Jan 2017
Question: HI Doctor My husband had parkinsons and also gets seizures. he is on dilantin 100mg 3 times a day and lamotrigine 150mg twice a day. he is complaining about weakness in his legs and dizziness the neurologist just increased his lamotrigine from 100mg to 150mg. could this be the weakness problem or are the two medicines interacting. we cannot get ahold of his neurologist at this time. thanks
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Probably drugs interaction, spinal issues to exclude.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Both drugs used to control seizures could result in side effects such dizziness and weakness.

Furthermore, Lamotrigine blood levels are affected by older antiseizure drugs such Dilantin, resulting this way in more prominent adverse effects, so, if weakness was noticed mainly after Lamotrigine dose increase, the interaction between these drugs is most likely the culprit.

Weakness of legs also may result from spinal cord conditions such spinal stenosis that is necessary to be evaluated further with a lumbar spine MRI.

If spine issues are excluded, treatment of seizures with one antiepileptic drug (Carbamazepine, Levetiracetam, Zonisamide etc.) should be considered.

These issues should be discussed with your husband's Neurologist.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4501 Questions

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What Causes Weakness In Legs And Dizziness?

Brief Answer: Probably drugs interaction, spinal issues to exclude. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for using HCM. I have read your question and understand your concerns. Both drugs used to control seizures could result in side effects such dizziness and weakness. Furthermore, Lamotrigine blood levels are affected by older antiseizure drugs such Dilantin, resulting this way in more prominent adverse effects, so, if weakness was noticed mainly after Lamotrigine dose increase, the interaction between these drugs is most likely the culprit. Weakness of legs also may result from spinal cord conditions such spinal stenosis that is necessary to be evaluated further with a lumbar spine MRI. If spine issues are excluded, treatment of seizures with one antiepileptic drug (Carbamazepine, Levetiracetam, Zonisamide etc.) should be considered. These issues should be discussed with your husband's Neurologist. Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further. Greetings.