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Fighting for the Possibility of Zero Seizures

Koral on Zero Seizures

Advocating for yourself is the first step on the journey toward seizure freedom

Scroll down for Important Safety Information.

SK Life Science, Inc., the maker of XCOPRI® (cenobamate tablets) CV, a treatment for partial-onset seizures in adults, is an innovative global pharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for central nervous system disorders. Learn about XCOPRI® patient Koral’s journey with epilepsy and the importance of advocating for yourself in the fight for zero seizures.

This post is part of the Epilepsy Blog Relay™. Follow along all month!

This blog post was submitted by SK life science, the lead sponsor of the November 2021 Epilepsy Blog Relay.

 

Uncontrolled Epilepsy

There are approximately 3.4 million people living with epilepsy in the United States, and although zero seizures is recognized as the optimal treatment goal, almost 40 percent of people with epilepsy continue to have seizures.1-3 Uncontrolled epilepsy can put roadblocks in place for people living with the disease, ranging from being unable to drive, to challenges at school and work – even potentially derailing their goals.4

Koral’s Story

XCOPRI® patient Koral knows the challenges of living with epilepsy and the significance of potentially living with zero seizures. Learn more about Koral’s journey.

 

“Don’t ever settle for anything less than you deserve.”

 

Before starting on XCOPRI®, Koral’s doctor prescribed her allergy medicine, misdiagnosing her epilepsy as bad allergies. She began having more frequent and more intense episodes, not knowing she was experiencing multiple partial-onset seizures a day. After years of being misdiagnosed, Koral’s passion for teaching children with autism inspired her to advocate for herself, leading her to meet the neurologist who diagnosed her with epilepsy and introduced her to XCOPRI®.

Koral now has one seizure a month, or even less.

“With those reductions, I feel like I’m in charge of my life again. Don’t ever settle for anything less than you deserve,” Koral says.

 

Today, Koral is starting graduate school and she is using her voice to encourage the Hispanic community to continue to seek answers for their medical issues.

Learn more about another XCOPRI® patient story and common epilepsy misconceptions.

Everyone’s epilepsy is unique, and treatments work differently from person to person. Like Koral and other XCOPRI® patients, SK life science encourages people with epilepsy to be their own advocate and never settle for a treatment regimen that isn’t helping them reach their goals.

If you have epilepsy, know you are not alone in your fight for zero seizures. Speak with your healthcare professional to learn if XCOPRI® is the right treatment for you.

 

References

  1. CURE Epilepsy. What is epilepsy? https://www.cureepilepsy.org/for-patients/what-is-and-what-causes-epilepsy/. Accessed October 22, 2021.
  2. Halford, Edwards. Seizure freedom as an outcome in epilepsy treatment clinical trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32353166/. Published online May 20, 2020.
  3. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The Epilepsies and Seizures: Hope Through Research. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/HopeThrough-Research/Epilepsies-and-Seizures-Hope-Through. Accessed October 22, 2021.
  4. Epilepsy Foundation. Challenges with Epilepsy: Social Concerns. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/social-concerns. Accessed October 22, 2021.

For more information about XCOPRI®, please visit https://www.xcopri.com/.

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATION FOR XCOPRI® (cenobamate tablets) CV

DO NOT TAKE XCOPRI IF YOU:

Are allergic to cenobamate or any of the other ingredients in XCOPRI.

Have a genetic problem (called Familial Short QT syndrome) that affects the electrical system of the heart.

XCOPRI CAN CAUSE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, INCLUDING:

 

Allergic reactions: XCOPRI can cause serious skin rash or other serious allergic reactions which may affect organs and other parts of your body like the liver or blood cells. You may or may not have a rash with these types of reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away and go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following: swelling of your face, eyes, lips, or tongue, trouble swallowing or breathing, a skin rash, hives, fever, swollen glands, or sore throat that does not go away or comes and goes, painful sores in the mouth or around your eyes, yellowing of your skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, severe fatigue or weakness, severe muscle pain, frequent infections, or infections that do not go away. Take XCOPRI exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. It is very important to increase your dose of XCOPRI slowly, as instructed by your healthcare provider.

 

QT shortening: XCOPRI may cause problems with the electrical system of the heart (QT shortening). Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of QT shortening including fast heartbeat (heart palpitations) that last a long time or fainting.

 

Suicidal behavior and ideation: Antiepileptic drugs, including XCOPRI, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying; attempting to commit suicide; new or worse depression, anxiety, or irritability; feeling agitated or restless; panic attacks; trouble sleeping (insomnia); acting aggressive; being angry or violent; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania); or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

 

Nervous system problems: XCOPRI may cause problems that affect your nervous system. Symptoms of nervous system problems include: dizziness, trouble walking or with coordination, feeling sleepy and tired, trouble concentrating, remembering, and thinking clearly, and vision problems. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how XCOPRI affects you.

 

Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that can make you sleepy or dizzy while taking XCOPRI without first talking to your healthcare provider.

 

DISCONTINUATION:

 

Do not stop taking XCOPRI without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping XCOPRI suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping seizure medicine suddenly in a patient who has epilepsy can cause seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus).

 

DRUG INTERACTIONS:

 

XCOPRI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how XCOPRI works. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider.  Tell healthcare providers about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

 

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:

 

XCOPRI may cause your birth control medicine to be less effective. Talk to your health care provider about the best birth control method to use.

 

Talk to your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XCOPRI will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking XCOPRI. You and your healthcare provider will decide if you should take XCOPRI while you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking XCOPRI, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic medicine during pregnancy. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or go to www.aedpregnancyregistry.org.

 

Talk to your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XCOPRI passes into breastmilk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking XCOPRI.

 

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS:

 

The most common side effects in patients taking XCOPRI include dizziness, sleepiness, headache, double vision, and feeling tired.

 

These are not all the possible side effects of XCOPRI. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.  Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

 

DRUG ABUSE:

 

XCOPRI is a federally controlled substance (CV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep XCOPRI in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away XCOPRI may harm others and is against the law.

 

INDICATION:

 

XCOPRI is a prescription medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults 18 years of age and older. It is not known if XCOPRI is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

 

Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment.

 

Please see full Prescribing Information.

 

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Follow Jessica K. Smith:

Founder

Founder and CEO Jessica brings a unique perspective to this leading epilepsy blog as she was diagnosed with epilepsy as a teen. She also brings 20+ years experience in marketing.

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