Medication

Antiepileptics

Antiepiletics are drugs, which play the most important role in controlling the seizures. The aim is to wind down the activity of the brain cells, in order to decrease the seizure tendency. Therefore the medication has to be taken continuously accompanied by regular medical checkups.

The medication starts off as a monotherapy (one type of drug). After 2 to 3 seizure free years, a medication stop could be attempted, but the therapy is considered as a long-term therapy.  Various drugs belong to the group of antileptics.

Carbamazepin

Carbamazepin is specialised on focal seizures. Side-effects are gastric complaints, nausea, double vision and staggering.

Oxcarbazepin

Oxcarbazepin is an advanced version of carbamazepin. The side-effects are not as severe as the latter.

Phenytoin

Phenytoin helps against focal and generalised seizures; and is also used on status epilepticus patients. Side-effects are rashes, staggering, fatigue.

Lamotrigin
Lamotrigin is a multi-drug. It treats: focal and generalized seizures, tonic-clonic, myclonic, atonic and tonic seizures. It has a high tolerance level. Side-effects are skin and mucous irritations, dizziness, nausea etc.

Zonisamid
Zonisamid is an added drug on treating focal seizures. Side-effects are mostly of mental nature: anxiety, bewilderment, depression)

Clobazam
In addition on treating focal and generalized seizures. Side-effects are fatigue, dizziness and drowsiness.

Clonazepam
Belongs to the group of Benzodiazepine (acting as sedative drugs). Used on treating status epileptica. Long-term intake has addictive effect.

Phenobarbital
Phenobarbital is used on treating focal and generalised seizures. Emergency drug for status epilepticus. 10% complain about its strong sedative effect, dizziness, headache and motor problems.

Primidon
Stems from Phenobarbital and has similar effects.

Tiagabin
In addition to focal and generalized seizure therapies. Side-effects are fatigue, dizziness, headache and drowsiness.

Vigabatrin
Vigabatrin is described in the case of west-syndrome (severe type of epilepsy during infancy) and focal and generalized seizures that can not react towards other antileptics. Fatigue, dizziness, headache and drowsiness, concentration and memory problems may occur.

Gabapentin
Gabapentin used as mono and addition therapy in cases of focal and generalized seizures. Side-effects are fatigue, dizziness, headache and drowsiness.

Valproat
Valproat is a multi-drug. It treats: focal and generalized seizures, tonic-clonic, myclonic, atonic and tonic seizures; west-syndrome and status epilepticus. Side-effects are fatigue, tremor, hair loss, behaviour changes.

Topiramat
Treats focal and generalised seizures, tonic-clonic seizure and west-syndrom. Side-effects are fatigue, dizziness, headache and drowsiness. Topiramat is an effective drug, but side-effects can be severe.

Levetiracetam
This new drug is used as mono and addition therapy in cases of focal and generalized seizures. Side-effects are fatigue, dizziness, headache and drowsiness.