Antiepileptic Drug Treatment
The Epilepsy Foundation reports that 3 million Americans suffer from epilepsy, a neurological condition that causes seizures. The Mayo Clinic reports that one out of every 100 people will experience a seizure in their lifetime that has no discernible cause and that doctors typically diagnose epilepsy after two of such seizures occur. Epilepsy has the potential to cause a number of life-threatening incidents, including falling, drowning and car accidents. In addition, epilepsy sometimes leads to brain damage or sudden death, which occurs in one out of every 1,000 epileptics. In order to decrease the possibility of such complications, doctors prescribe antiepileptic drugs to reduce the occurrence of seizures.
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Function
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In your brain, nerves carry messages by using electrical impulses. These impulses travel by two different means. In the first method, a sodium-regulated system allows impulses to jump over gaps between nerves. The second method utilizes special receptors on your brain that are stimulated by electrical activity to release chemicals called neurotransmitters that conduct impulses and messages. Epilepsy disrupts these methods your brain uses to transport impulses, and antiepileptic drugs work to correct this problem. These drugs work either by modifying the sodium passageways or changing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain, reports Australia's Children's Royal Hospital.
Types
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Doctors sometimes utilize monotherapy or one-drug antiepileptic treatment for epilepsy, while other times physicians rely upon polytherapy, which consists of multiple antiepileptic drugs reports Epilepsy Canada. The latter is most common when patients experience more than one type of seizure. There are a number of drugs that fall under the category of antiepileptics: neurontin, lamictal, felbatol, topamax, cerebyx, keppra, trileptal, lyrica, depakote and zonegran.
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Usage
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When you swallow an antiepileptic drug, your stomach digests the tablet, releasing the chemicals that make up the drug into your bloodstream. These chemicals eventually reach your brain, where they are able to minimize the effects of epilepsy. In order for antiepileptics to be successful, it is important to have an amount constantly present in your bloodstream. Because of this, doctors often prescribe antiepileptics to be taken more than once per day to maintain bloodstream levels. Often a patient begins with a low dosage and then switches to higher dosage once her body becomes accustomed to the effects of the drug.
Risks
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings about antiepileptic drugs in January 2008. A study that revealed a connection between suicidal behavior and the usage of antiepileptics warranted this action. According to FDA studies, patients taking antiepileptics were twice as likely to exhibit suicidal behavior and thinking than those who were not. The FDA requires warnings to be listed on antiepileptic medications and cautions physicians to be aware of signs of intended self-harm. In addition, antiepileptic medications have the potential to cause a number of other serious side effects, such as liver damage, coma, lower blood platelet levels, urinary problems, severe skin rashes and serious allergic reactions, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Considerations
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It is important not to suddenly discontinue antiepileptic usage and to never take more or less than the prescribed amount. Because it often interferes with the effects of antieptileptics, doctors advise epileptic patients not to drink alcohol. In addition, you should be careful not to miss a dose and to avoid running out of medication to avoid any possible recurrence of epileptic seizures.
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