Most medication that is used to treat epilepsy is aimed at reducing the frequency and intensity of seizures. However, your doctor may also prescribe you a variety of other medicines aimed at reducing the intensity of side effects caused by the anti-epileptic drugs you are taking. You may sometimes hear anti-epileptic drugs referred to as anticonvulsant drugs.
At the time of this writing, there is no known cure for epilepsy. But don’t let this discourage you from seeking professional help in trying to better your condition. Approach the topic of treatment and medication with positivity and optimism, as there are many medicines out there that can definitely reduce, if not completely eliminate, the occurrence of seizures.
Statistics show that taking only one antiepileptic medicine prevents seizures in up to 7 out of 10 people who have partial seizures. About 8 out of 10 people have complete seizure control when they take more than one antiepileptic medicine.
When thinking of various medicines used for epilepsy, it is extremely crucial to note that each medicine will tackle the condition of a particular person and therefore you should not, under any circumstances, take a medicine that is prescribed for someone else. Your doctor is your best resource when it comes to devising the right regimen for your particular condition.
Even if you do approach a professional specialist, the process of devising the right combination, dosage and frequency of your medicines might take longer than you expect. This is because your doctor will need to find a treatment that works best for your particular condition. Your doctor will also try to balance the prevention of your seizures with any side effects caused by antiepileptic drugs. Try to remain patient during this process and remember that there is a treatment out there – not just any treatment, but one that works best for you! It sometimes just requires a few attempts to find that exact treatment!
A particular factor that you should be aware of before taking medication is that almost all antiepileptic drugs have the potential to increase the risk of depression-related symptoms. These risks can be especially high in the immediate period after you start taking medicines as your body is likely to react with more intensity upon first being administered with a particular antiepileptic drug. Therefore, if you feel depressed and generally down, try to keep reminding yourself that these are just side effects and not a reflection of yourself as a person., As with other side effects, you should talk about any depression related symptoms with your doctor.
As with all types of medication, it is important for you to inform your doctor of any life circumstances that might require specific care to be taken with regards to your medications. You should also inform your doctor of every other drug that you are taking so that he can make a better judgment as to what would be the best combination of medicines that can balance seizure control with reduced side effects.
While there is a broad range of medicines administered for the prevention and control of seizures, the following is a link to The NY Times Health Guide that provides valuable information regarding the most commonly administered medicines for seizure control. This information has been reviewed by medical professionals.