Epillepsy treatment?

Question

My friend age is 34 years old suffering with Epillepsy since 8 years and he is taking tablets Depakine 200mg (Sodium valporate) thrice a day. He got seizure two times in 8 years last time he got seizure 7 years back still he is using tablets.
He should stop the tablets or there is any good treatment for Epillepsy,or any side effects if he stop the tablets?

Answer 1

He should talk to a doctor.

Abrupt withdrawal from some anti-seizure medications can be dangerous.

Answer 2

Tell him not to stop the tablets. The doctor will not let him, the most they would do is reduce the dosage etc. However if he drives I would tell him not to even reduce as if he has a seizure again he will be suspended from driving for 2 years until he is seizure free again.

The side effects from some epilepsy drugs are hair loss - my partner suffered with this in the early stages. Not sure about others.

Answer 3

No !
Never ever stop taking your medication, unless advised by a doctor, or consultant neurologist, who should still review the medication and its' effect regularly.
Sometimes seizures may still occur even though medication is taken.
When bloods are taken for anticonvulsant effect, they are able to determine the efficacy of the drug, and make alterations as necessary.
Quick withdrawal of anticonvulsant medication can be dangerous.
Seizure frequency may increase, and even life-threatening, with the possibilty of status epilepticus (recurrent seizures without recovery in between, starving the brain of oxygen and causing respiratory and cardiac failure)
If your friend feels that their seizures are not controlled as well as they'd like them to, or an increase of seizures occur, or side-effects are interfering with your lifestyle or work, get them to ask their G.P. for advice, or referral for investigation.
Adjunctive anticonvulsant therapy, such as lamictal and epilim, or lamictal and keppra can be more effective in controlling seizure activity, depending on the seizure presented, but your friend would need to be 'weaned off' the present drug, while the new drug is/are introduced.
Careful monitoring of seizures and side-effects are essential.
Never, never, never stop taking these tablets.
They are prescribed by the doctor for a reason !
Take care

Answer 4

Do you mean Epilepsy ?
Epilepsy may be a chronic, lifelong condition. In some cases, the need for medications may be reduced or eliminated over time. Certain types of childhood epilepsy resolve or improve with age. A seizure-free period of 4 years may indicate that reduction or elimination of medications is possible. Consult your neurologist.
Please see the webpages for more details on Epilepsy.

Answer 5

There's a surgical alternative but it's not 100% guaranteed and it's quite invasive. I know someone in an very similar position to your friend and while she remains seizure-free on a similar level of medication, she doesn't see much point in risking anything else.

Your friend should NOT stop taking the tablets unless advised to do so by his consultant.

Answer 6

i would not stop the tablets unless a doctor has told him it is safe to do so sounds like these tablets are doing what they should be doing. the only side effects are that he might take another seizure if he stopped them

Answer 7

Epilepsy is not a completely curable ailment. it affects people whose brain misses an electric implulse. at that moment they have a seizure. only medicines help to a certain extent. as you friend is not prone to these attacks regularly its fine. he can lead a normal life like any other person. maybe he gets these attacks due to stress and tension. tell him not to worry. hes fine as it is. does he get any type of halos etc before he gets the seizures? when he feels like hes getting it he should sit in one place and not move till the episode passes.