Why Could Medications be a Trigger for Seizures?
Now that you have been diagnosed with Epilepsy, a prescription for anti Epilepsy Medication, AEDs, is among the first “to do” on your list to help control your seizures.
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Not always are we made aware of the importance of taking our medication, much less of all of the side effects this Medication may have on us. The medications’ goal, and one that everyone wants and should have, is:
1. To lessen the amount of seizures you are having.
2. To get rid of all the side effects or as many as possible.
3. To be able to live a full life regardless of your condition, and to be able to fulfill your goals and dreams.
On this page is some information you may need to know about medications, and how they might affect you, or even trigger some of the seizures you are having.
Not taking medications
The taking of your medications should be followed under your Doctors orders. Taking them the same time of day each day is important. Should you forget an hour leverage either before or after is usually permitted. Making changes on your own without consulting your Doctor first even though the side effects may appear debilitating at times is not a good thing to do. This often only makes matters worse. Should you forget a dose, which can easily be done until you get into a routine, and an hour has passed before you remember, give your druggist or Doctor a call to see what the best way to make up for this missed timeslot. You may have slept in today, got up feeling good and rested and Epilepsy is the furthest thing from your mind. Forgetting your medication completely can easily be done. Get into a routine by keeping your medications in the same spot always right out in the open or on a bench where you can’t miss seeing them, or a place where you always look and go to frequently, as a missed drug can alter the level of your seizure threshold.
Change of medications or an increase or decrease in dosage
Even just a simple change in the dosage of your medication can trigger a seizure in some people. Whether it is that slight decrease or increase in your prescribed dose of a given anti-epilepsy drug, or whether it is a change from one medication to another, this can cause changes that you may not immediately be aware of. These changes may nor always be for the worst and may take longer to affect some than others. Arm yourself with knowledge about your Medications and do your own research, just like you are doing now. Ask questions about your new or changed prescription and see what side effects may occur and if this could be a possible cause or reason for your added seizures. Go to the internet and check out the information available. A reputable site to visit is: http://www.medlineplus.gov . You will find all kinds of information on your medication there. Remember that any of these changes must be done under the supervision of your Doctor. Adding a new medication, or altering the dose of your current one can be a shock to your body and as these medication are very potent your body needs time to adjust. You may notice that you feel worse in the beginning stages, or you may have different side effects, or can become quite sleepy. Remember that when something different is being added or other changes taking place that your body has its own ways of telling you that something different is going on.
Generic or Brand name medications
If your Doctor prescribes for you a ‘Brand Name’ Anti Epilepsy Drug, make sure that you conform with his choice in order to prevent any unusual triggers happening that can cause a seizure for you. Some times your pharmacist may suggest to you that a ‘Generic Brand’ may be just as effective, or you may have asked for alternatives because maybe this time you just couldn’t afford the Brand name prescription be aware that taking a generic name medication could cause problems for you. Remember that you are making an immediate ‘change’ no matter that is sounds the same and if supposed to be just as effective. It may not be noticed immediately but then breakthrough seizures may start happening. A simple slipup can send you to Emergency right now. This is something that you do not want to happen to you.
Drug withdrawal
Sudden drug withdrawal of the majority of prescribed medications, and especially with anti-epileptic drugs, is not a practice you should attempt. It is imperative that your doctor decreases the dosage of any medication very slowly. Withdrawal symptoms can make you very ill and uncomfortable and happens with reducing medications suddenly just like other things you are trying to quit (Coffee for example).
Over the Counter Medications including Herbal Remedies
When going to purchase any ‘over the counter’ medications, or any herbs of any kind, always check with your Pharmacist and/or your Doctor to make sure they will not in any way interact with, or cancel out, the effects of the medications you are presently taking. Have you considered drug and drug interactions? This is a HUGE factor as many, many drugs present their own side effects. With another one added, no matter how harmless or natural it sounds, can cause major health problems. Which drug or remedy is now to blame? The one you have been taking or the one you have just added? With herbal remedies we tend to forget that not all natural is harmless and that they to may have many side effects of their own. Know your boundaries. Are you allergic to any plant products? Some herbal remedies may increase the risk of seizures. Some well known examples of these are St. John’s Wort, Ginkgo Biloba and Evening Primrose Oil. They may not only interact with your prescribed medications but may also increase your seizures.
Disclaimer - Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication.
