Medications that treatepilepsyvary based on the key in of seizure disorder.
There are two main types of epilepsy drugs: narrow-spectrum anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and broad-spectrum AEDs.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe one or multiple AEDs, depending on your specific seizure disorder.
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Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine, marketed under the brand name Tegretol, is used to treat epilepsy.
It is also approved to treat pain associated withtrigeminal neuralgia.
Carbamazepine works by reducing the amount of sodium that can pass through the cell membranes in your brain.
This helps reduce the amount of seizures.
This medication comes in different oral forms, including tablets, capsules, and a liquid suspension.
Immediate-release and extended-release versions are available.
Carbamazepine may interact withbirth control pills, so it can make oral contraceptives less effective when taking them simultaneously.
Therefore, you’d be smart to use an additional form of contraception while taking carbamazepine.
It comes in orally taken tablet form.
Doses are often consumed once a day.
Ethosuximide
Zarontin (ethosuximide) is used to treatabsence seizures.
Ethosuximide works by reducing certain activity in the nervous system, which can help reduce seizures.
It comes in capsule or liquid (syrup) form and is typically taken one or more times daily.
Gabapentin
Neurontin (gabapentin) is sometimes prescribed as an add-on treatment for focal seizures.
This means it’s usually prescribed along with other AEDs.
The way gabapentin works for seizures is not well known.
Gabapentin may be used in adults and children 3 years and older.
It can be taken in an oral capsule, tablet, or solution form.
It is generally dosed three times daily.
It can be used alone (monotherapy) or with another AED (adjunctive therapy).
Lacosamide reduces the amount of chemicals in your brain that can cause seizure activity.
It slows or limits brain and neuronal overactivity through several mechanisms involving sodium channels in the cell membranes.
Vimpat comes in tablet and solution forms.
It can also be given intravenously (into the veins).
It is typically dosed once daily.
Certain side effects seen with lacosamide can include double vision orinvoluntary muscle movements.
Dosing will depend on age.
The way oxcarbazepine works in the body is not well known.
It can be used to treat generalized or focal seizures and neonatal seizures.
Phenobarbital is thought to help prevent seizures by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain.
Before you take phenobarbital, verify to discuss with your healthcare provider the risks involved with barbiturates.
This includes its increased risk of dependence or addiction.
Stopping the use of phenobarbital after taking it for a while can cause withdrawal.
It can also prevent and treat seizures after surgery on the brain.
Depending on the dosage form, you might take it anywhere from one to four times daily.
you’re able to take pregabalin orally in capsule or liquid form.
It is usually taken anywhere from one to three times per day, depending on the dosage form.
Before starting treatment, discuss your other medications with your healthcare provider.
In this condition, other AEDs have failed to adequately control seizures.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe Vigabatrin if other medications have not worked for you.
Vigabatrin works by increasing levels of a chemical in your brain calledgamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
This helps reduce seizure frequency.
Importantly, vigabatrin has a boxed warning about the risk of vision loss from using this medication.
Periodic vision assessments are generally required for people taking vigabatrin, although this will not necessarily prevent vision damage.
Brivaracetam
Brivact (brivaracetam) treats focal seizures in adults and children 1 month and older.
It is available in tablet and liquid solution forms for oral use, or as an injection.
Taking other AEDS at the same time can affect the level of brivaracetam in your body.
It is available in an oral solution.
CBD is derived from the cannabis (marijuana) plant.
However, it does not contain the euphoric properties or abuse potential associated with marijuana.
The way Epidiolex works to help manage seizures is unknown.
Cenobamate
Xcopri (cenobamate) is a medication used to treat focal seizures in adults.
It works by reducing the amount of chemical excitement in the brain that can cause you to develop seizures.
It’s helpful as a monotherapy or add-on therapy for LGS, akinetic seizures, andmyoclonic seizures.
People who have absence seizures and have not responded to other therapies may also benefit.
The exact way in which clonazepam works for seizures is not well understood.
It has been associated with liver failure and blood disorders, such asaplastic anemia.
Felbamate is only considered a last-line medication when other therapies fail to control seizures.
Lamotrigine
Lamcital (lamotrigine) can be used for tonic-clonic seizures and focal seizures.
The way lamotrigine works in the body is not well understood.
Lamotrigine comes in different tablet forms, including immediate-release tablets, chewable dispersible tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets.
It can also be used for:
The way levetiracetam works in the body is unknown.
It is available in tablet and liquid formulations.
Levetiracetam may be prescribed if you are pregnant, as it is safer to use than other AEDs.
Common side effects that may be seen with levetiracetam can include sleepiness and mood changes.
It is used in addition to other AEDs.
Fycompa is taken in capsule or liquid suspension forms.
Watch for differences in mood or behavior, and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any changes.
The way rufinamide works in the body is unknown.
However, it is thought to act on sodium channels in the brain to reduce overactivity.
Rufinamide comes in tablet or liquid suspension form for oral dosing.
Always take your dose with food.
Do not take rufinamide if you have a heart condition known asQT prolongation.
Rufinamide is also not recommended if you have kidney or liver damage.
Topiramate is available as capsules or sprinkle capsules, which can be opened and added to soft food.
Topiramate is not recommended if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.
Valproic Acid
Valproic acid is commonly used to treat absence seizures and complex partial seizures.
Zonisamide
Zonisamide (brand names Zonegran or Zonisade) is used to treat focal seizures.
It is available in capsule and liquid formulations.
Zonisamide belongs to a class of medications called sulfonamides.
Having an open discussion with your healthcare provider about the risks of your medication is important.
Mental changes should be closely watched for when first starting treatment.
Immediately contact your healthcare provider if you notice any mood or behavior changes.
Other common side effects related to AEDs include:
Which AED Is Right For Me?
Your healthcare provider will work with you to decide on the best treatment.
Different types of these medications are available for different types of seizures.
If you’ve been prescribed a new medication, discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
All medications can potentially cause side effects.
However, certain medications, such as levetiracetam, may have fewer side effects than others.
All AEDs can potentially affect your mood or behavior, so watch for any of these changes.
Before starting treatment, talk to your healthcare provider about the specific side effects of your medication.
Your healthcare provider will choose certain medications depending on what punch in of epileptic disorder you have.
All medications used to treat seizures, epilepsy, and convulsions can be listed as anti-epileptic drugs.
However, depending on the jot down of seizure disorder you have, the treatment will be different.
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