I have a brother who was diagonised with epilepsy when he was 2 year old. He is now 21 year old. he has been using the drug phenobarbital for the last 20 years. he has develped behaviours which look like the side effects of phenobarbital. these are:
Hyperactive.
Restless.
Unable to sleep.
AggressiveListless.
Depressed.
Tired
What should i do? should i change to another anti epileptic drug?
Which drug has the least side effects?
Do the side effects of any drug has the same effects on different people?
2006-08-20 22:53:20 · 5 answers · asked by Omar 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
I use to be on the same med for the same thing, after about a year, I requested the dr to remove me from the drug , due to all the side affects,and try something different, because this drug should be outlawed. It's a mind altering drug, the dr told me this himself, I got to the point, I would be driving down the road, and thought all the cars coming at me were going to hit me head on, I made funeral arrangements, I was worse depressed, tired,paranoid,trusted nobody, he finally put me on Tegretal 200mg 4 times a day, and this is a wonder drug, I have no known side affects, I feel great, no tiredness, no side affects, its like I'm not even taking it. One thing you have to understand when anti convulsion meds, is the have different ratios, of anti convulsion to sedatives, like the phenbarb lets say has more sedative than anticonvulsion, which makes the sleepiness you're talking about, the tegretal on the other hand has like 90 % anticonvulsion, and 10% sedative. Its the best by far. I know Ive tried them all.I've been on this one for over 16 years now
2006-08-20 23:21:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure about the other drugs - talk to the doctor?
But keep in mind that these symptoms and behaviors are rather common even without being side effects of this particular drug.
2006-08-21 06:01:46 · answer #2 · answered by Katia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would definately talk to the doctors who are treating your brother. The problem with some drugs is that you can't suddenly stop them. There are new drugs on the market and if you talk to your doctors they can help you become better informed.
2006-08-21 06:06:14 · answer #3 · answered by NeuroRN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we use epilum here in the uk and it has very little if any side aeffects,but as you will already know.some drugs work different on some individuals and its a trial and error situation sometimes..
is your brothers seizures under control or have they become more frequent and longer lasting recently..if so he needs to see his doctor for re-assesment,
diazepam is good for controlling seizures but it depends where you live if they will give you some and let you administer it if he takes a seizure
good luck
2006-08-21 06:02:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of good advice here.
Good Luck and it sounds like your brother is lucky to have you. Nice to see 'brotherly love'.
2006-08-21 06:52:14 · answer #5 · answered by peppermint_paddy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋