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Response to First Treatment May Predict Epilepsy's Course

Posted 18 days ago by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, May 9 – The way someone responds to the first anti-seizure medication given after a diagnosis of epilepsy often predicts how well- controlled their seizures will be over time. A new study found that about 50 percent of people became seizure-free after the first medication they took. By contrast, only 13 percent became seizure-free after the second drug was tried, and just 4 percent were seizure-free after a third drug was tried. "The long-term treatment outcome is fairly constant, and thus predictable early on, in most people with epilepsy," said the study's lead author, Dr. Patrick Kwan, a professor of neurology at the University of Melbourne, in Australia. "Few patients become seizure-free after failure of the first two medications tried," he added. Results of the study are published in the May 9 online issue of the journal Neurology. Epilepsy is a seizure disorder. You ... Read more

Related support groups: Seizures, Epilepsy, Seizure Prevention, Seizure Prophylaxis

New Guidelines Issued for Combining HIV, Seizure Meds

Posted 4 Jan 2012 by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 4 – Physicians need to take care when prescribing seizure medication to HIV/AIDS patients to prevent harmful interactions between drugs, experts warn. The cautionary note from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has led to the issuance of a new AAN guideline, which was developed in consultation with the International League Against Epilepsy. "It is important that patients know exactly which drugs they are taking and provide that information to all prescribing health care providers caring for them," lead guideline author Dr. Gretchen L. Birbeck, of Michigan State University in East Lansing, said in an AAN news release. "Doctors may need to watch and adjust drug doses in people with HIV/AIDS who take seizure drugs," added Birbeck, who is also an AAN fellow. Seizures and related disorders are not uncommon among HIV patients, according to Birbeck and colleagues. It is ... Read more

FDA Medwatch Alert: Antiepileptic Drugs

Posted 5 May 2009 by Drugs.com

[UPDATE 05/05/2009] FDA notified healthcare professionals that it approved updated labeling for antiepileptic drugs used to treat epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, and other conditions (e.g., migraine and neuropathic pain syndromes). FDA also required development of a medication guide, to be issued to patients each time the product is dispensed. Since issuing safety alerts on December 16, 2008 and January 31, 2008, FDA has been working with the manufacturers of drugs in this class to better understand the suicidality risk. Eleven antiepileptic drugs were included in a pooled analysis of placebo-controlled clinical studies in which these drugs were used to treat epilepsy as well as psychiatric disorders and other conditions. The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior was generally consistent among the eleven drugs, with varying mechanisms of action and across a range of ... Read more

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Klonopin, Valium, clonazepam, Lamictal, Topamax, diazepam, lamotrigine, topiramate, Epsom Salt, view more... Diamox, magnesium sulfate, Tranxene, acetazolamide, valproic acid, clorazepate, Klonopin Wafer, Depakene, Diamox Sequels, Lamictal XR, Topamax Sprinkle, Stavzor, Diastat, Sabril, Lamictal CD, Tranxene-SD, vigabatrin, ethotoin, trimethadione, Tranxene T-Tab, Lamictal ODT, Peganone, Topiragen, Depacon, Diazepam Intensol, Tridione, Paradione, Diastat Pediatric, Zetran, Valrelease, paramethadione, Diastat AcuDial, Mesantoin, mephenytoin, Sulfamag, Dizac