2006-11-12 23:07:07 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
My sister has had epilepsy now for 15 years. The first medication she was on was Valproic Acid, which is also known as Depakene®, Depakote®, Depakote® ER, Depakote® Sprinkle, Divalproex sodium, and Valproate sodium It made her teeth brittle and caused her to gain weight. Her epileptic seizures didn't seem to be controlled by this medication. A few years later, the doctor changed it to Tegretol (also known as
Carbamazepine, Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol-XR), which seemed to help. Back in 2001, she was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia and the treatment for this was to increase her dosage of Tegretol and the pain went away.
Tegretol is part of the older medications that have been used to treat epilepsy. These also include: valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), mysoline (Primidone) and phenobarbital.
Now the NEWER medications that are used are as follows: gabapentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), topiramate (Topamax), tiagabine (Gabatril), levetiracetam (Keppra), zonisamide (Zonegran), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) and pregabalin (Lyrica). A ninth drug, felbamate (Felbatol), is rarely used because of potential for serious side effects.
2006-11-12 23:28:53 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure if their are any new ones available, but I find your question interesting that you need one that works You have epilepsy that is not being controlled you need to get regimen that works Tegretol, Dilantin with Phenobarbital are some common ones. For uncontrolled epilepsy IV Ativan is used.
2006-11-12 23:11:57 · answer #2 · answered by Frank R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keppra seems to work. My hubby hardly ever says anything paranoid or weird anymore. His mood stays about the same all the time. It's the only pill he takes for his epilepsy, when before he had to take mood stabilizers too coz one of the pills would cause him some problems. He has had a few little seizures still though.
2006-11-12 23:11:43 · answer #3 · answered by *babydoll* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lamictal is working for my daughter. She used to take a combination of Carbatrol and Depakote. With Lamictal, she is less moody (and less changeable), is better focused, and has been seizure free for just over a year.
Your experience will depend on the type of seizure, etc. A good doctor will be up to date on new medications. It is worth maintaining a good/honest relationship with your neurologist.
2006-11-12 23:26:11 · answer #4 · answered by home schooling mother 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neurontin is the newest I know
2006-11-13 01:54:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard good things about Topomax.....not sure how new it is.
2006-11-12 23:09:42 · answer #6 · answered by Left Footed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋