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Common Drugs for the Treatment of Seizures

Medications can control seizures for most people, usually by preventing seizures from occurring. In seizure disorders, the brain's electrical activities are disrupted, resulting in temporary brain dysfunction. Seizure medications reduce excessive activity in the brain that causes seizures.

  1. The Facts

    • The goal of seizure medications is to reduce the frequency of seizures with the least side effects. You will usually be started on a low dose, and the dosage will be increased gradually until seizures are controlled.

    Types

    • There are many different types of seizure medication used to treat many different types of seizures. First-line medications are a physician's first choice of drugs to control seizures. Examples of first-line medications are carbamazepine (Tegregol, Carbatrol), valproate (Depakote), phenytoin (Dilantin) and ethosuximide (Zarontin).

    Add-on Medications

    • Additional medications may be required in addition to first-line medications. These are known as add-on medications or second-line therapy. Examples of second-line seizure drugs include gababentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine (Lamictal) and topiramate (Topamax).

    Side Effects

    • You may be troubled with side effects of seizure medications. Some examples of side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, irritability and fatigue.

    Considerations

    • Medication may be switched several times until the most effective medication for you is found. It is important that you take medication exactly as prescribed and as close to the same time of day each day as possible.

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