Anti-epileptic drugs help prevent the rapid and repetitive electrical changes in the brain that cause seizures. The drugs in this class include Carbamazepine, Valproate, Gabapentin, Pregabalin, Topiramate, and Oxcarbazepine. Some of the side effects of these drugs are drowsiness, ataxia, headache, blurred vision, and nausea.
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Can my child show behavioral changes due to antiepileptic drugs?
Query: Hi doctor, My son is 3 years 9 months now. He has been diagnosed with benign childhood epilepsy. He is taking Clobazam 15 mg at night and Topiramate 100 mg per day for last four months. His seizures are under control and he attends LKG. The issue is that he is not able to concentrate in his studies ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your question in detail. The initial dose of Topiramate is 1 mg/kg/day which is gradually increased to 5-10 mg/kg/day. Your child is getting 100 mg Topiramate which is around 6 mg/kg/day. So, the dosage of Topiramate is correct. There are some side effects lik... Read Full »
What are the drugs incompatible with Quetiapine and Lamotrigine?
Query: Hi doctor, My query is regarding the incompatibility of Quetiapine and Lamotrigine with other groups of drugs. Now I have to get treatment for an anaerobic infection. I was prescribed Azithromycin, Clindamycin, Metronidazole and Mycomax. However, I will be extremely grateful if you list me all group... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. As such for Lamotrigine following drug interactions need to be considered as important. Valproate increases plasma level of Lamotrigine, hence dose need to be decreased if given with Valproate. Also there are increased chances of rash if given with Valproate. Antiepile... Read Full »
Can I take Carbamazepine while breastfeeding?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a mother of 1-month-old baby, who is exclusively breastfed. My baby is healthy and gaining normal weight. The problem is that he sleeps a lot. I have been taking Carbamazepine and Eslicarbazepine tablets for partial seizures. Are these tablets safe while breastfeeding? When I consult... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your doctor is right. Carbamazepine can get secreted in breast milk and it is the safest antiepileptic during lactation. 1-month-old baby sleeps a lot. They can sleep for about 18 to 20 hours a day. They will wake up only for feeds. As long as the baby is gaining weig... Read Full »
I am diagnosed with a complex partial seizure. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, Recently my neurologist diagnosed me with complex partial seizure. However, after taking two different medications and increase in doses has not helped. So here is my story: several years back I had been going through an extreme amount of stress. I had some migraines: occasional sharp ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Based on the description of these episodes, I agree with your doctor that these episodes seem to be related to complex partial seizures. I would like to directly review your EEG (electroencephalogram) reports if you can upload it. A normal EEG is not surprising in com... Read Full »
I feel dizzy and disoriented after taking Briviact. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I recently tried switching medicines from Phenytoin to Briviact. Last night, was the first time I tried it. I am transitioning off the Phenytoin. I became dizzy, disoriented and felt very weird. I have not had a seizure in the last 9 years. But, I was not ready to go off the medicines,... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Drowsiness and sleepiness are the most common side effect of the Briviact (Brivaracetam). Usually, this side effect will get reduced over three to four days. If it does not improve, then I think you should switch back to Phenytoin. As you said, there were no seizures f... Read Full »
Is dizziness a side effect of tablet Levera?
Query: Hello doctor, Two years back, I had a left PICA Aneurysm (Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery), for which it was coiled. Since then, I am taking tablet Levipil. Right now, I am taking tablet Levera XR 750 mg once daily. Sometimes, when I sit for a long time that too only when I use the Indian styl... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Dizziness that you are having is a very normal phenomenon, which occurs in a large number of normal individuals. It may happen while standing from sitting position, because of a relatively low cerebral perfusion (blood supply to the brain) for a few seconds. It is durin... Read Full »
My child is epileptic and has headaches and seizures. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, My child is 11 years old and is epileptic. She is taking the tablet Epliex Chrono 300 mg. She always complains of headaches and seizures. Her MRI reports are normal. However, the EEG shows an ictal headache. She always passes stools without informing. Please suggest some other medicine... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Epilepsy is a long-term disease that needs long-term medication, and nothing can be done. I cannot change the medications. I suggest your son undergo a colonoscopy to know if you have intussusception. Please attach the colonoscopy and ultrasound reports. Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, My daughter has epilepsy and experiences seizures three times a day, but they last for a few seconds. Her magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and blood reports were normal, but some changes were noted in the electroencephalogram (EEG) reports. She takes the tablet Epilim for epilepsy... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. From the reports attached (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity), I suggest the tablet Levetiracetam 4.53 mg per lb twice a day for a week. If the problem resolves, you can continue the medication; otherwise, the dose must be increased to 9.07 mg per ... Read Full »
Why is there shaking of the whole body during the night sleeps at times?
Query: Hello doctor, My brother-in-law, aged 15 years was seen to be shaking the whole body during the night sleeps at times during the last six months. But during this problem, he remains unconscious. He does so only when he is in deep sleep. We consulted a doctor locally and he suggested magnetic resonan... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The diagnosis seems to be correct (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It indeed looks like epilepsy. Sometimes, the cause is unclear. Sometimes it is due to an underlying genetic problem. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) being normal there is no ne... Read Full »
What is the outlook for long term antiepileptic medications?
Query: Hello doctor, I have already put my query to a neurologist. Still, I would like to get opinion from you as well. My son is 3.5 years old. He has been diagnosed with benign childhood epilepsy. His MRI and CT were normal. There are epileptic form of discharge 8 Hz spikes from right occipital lobe. Usu... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query. I can understand your concern about long-term effects of antiepileptic medications. So, in reply to your query, I would like to make suggestions for your son as follows: Treatment of many types of childhood epilepsy requires long-term antiepil... Read Full »
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