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The student news site of Conrad Schools of Science

The Conrad Howler

The student news site of Conrad Schools of Science

The Conrad Howler

Seizure Drug Used By 1.5 Million Americans Can Be Life Threatening, FDA Says

Seizure+Drug+Used+By+1.5+Million+Americans+Can+Be+Life+Threatening%2C+FDA+Says

The FDA is warning Americans of popular drugs used to treat seizures called Levetiracetam and clobazam, which have been linked to a reaction called Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS). 

The reaction is known to cause rashes across the body but can quickly progress into internal organs, failing and even death. Eosinophilia is also known to cause an increase in eosinophils in the blood, which are white blood cells used to fight infection. However, if too many eosinophils are present, it can cause a reaction, typically from drug use.  Levetiracetam is sold under Keppra, while Clobazam is sold under Onfi. 

The FDA does not want the taker of the drug to throw it out; instead, it will include a warning label to inform users of DRESS and its side effects. The FDA also acknowledges that the sensitivity to these drugs is rare but can still happen. 

Seek a doctor immediately or call 911 if you believe that someone may be experiencing the following symptoms from a very severe case of eosinophilia or DRESS: shortness of breath, eczema, frequent stomach aches, or wheezing. 

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About the Contributor
Brianna Southerland
Brianna Southerland, HS Reporter
Hello! I'm Brianna, a senior here at Conrad who's been here since 9th grade. I enjoy catching up on the latest news & trends and spend my day listening to music & writing. Currently, I'm in Nursing, but would like to switch over to Journalism in the near future. I love journalism because of how it contributes to community needs and informing the public, which is crucial to maintaining trust within our citizens & elsewhere.

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