Paxil side effects when taking Dilantin

[Lary-Overstret]

  My father developed a seizure two days after starting a ************** with Paxil.  He currently takes Dilantin for seizures experienced several years ago.  Are there any studies showing  adverse reactions to Paxil which resulted in seizures or increased risks of seizures?
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Dear Larry:
Psychotropic agents (specially neuroleptics, tricyclics, and bupropion) tend to lower seizure threshold somewhat, and may potentially unmask a seizure in someone who is prone to develop seizures. SSRI (i.e. Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) actually are relatively safe drugs in this regard.
Paxil has a half-life of 24 hours or so, hence the level of paroxetine (Paxil) that your father may have had in the blood at the time of the seizure is likely to have been rather low (steady-state levels are only reached after 4-5 half-lives of continued use).
Paxil may have a very modest effect of raising Dilantin levels, which should make seizures less likely, if anything (read Schmider J, Greenblatt DJ, et al.: Inhibition of CYP2C9 by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in vitro: studies of phenytoin p-hydroxylation. Br J Clin Pharmacol, Nov 1997, 44(5) p495-8).
This makes me suspect that the seizure was likely coincidental, or from other causes.