Epilepsy Medications
Experts agree that 70 to 80 percent of all epilepsy patients can be managed successfully with the correct medications. Yet, the truth is that many people take medications for months or years that either fail to control their seizures or produce bothersome side effects.
This is not necessary. And, it can be dangerous to a person's health and well-being. A long period of time without seizure control increases the risk of neurological and emotional problems related to epilepsy.
Identifying the Best Treatment
Together, our epilepsy doctors have more than 100 years of experience diagnosing and treating this condition. They also have access to the most sophisticated diagnostic tools available. This gives them the insight they need to determine the best possible treatment--one that offers the greatest seizure control with the fewest side effects.
After a thorough evaluation, our doctors may recommend a new epilepsy medication or combination of medications. Or they may adjust the dosage of a current medication. They also may determine that you have a drug-resistant type of epilepsy that might be better treated with surgery or vagus nerve stimulation.
Access to the Newest Drugs
Because our doctors are also researchers, they are also aware of any new or experimental drug therapy that becomes available. The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center is also involved in clinical trials of new medications, which ensures that our patients have early access to these medicines.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Different medications work better for different types of seizures--and for different people. The following are just some of the issues related to medication management that our doctors can address:
- My seizures are not controlled. Am I on the correct medication?
- Am I taking the correct dose?
- Are there other medicines that would be better for me or cause fewer side effects?
- I am taking several drugs right now. Would one drug work better for me?
- What epilepsy drugs are safest to take during pregnancy?
- Could I have drug-resistant epilepsy? Is surgery a better option for me?
More Information
- Epilepsy Diagnosis
- Adult Epilepsy Medications
- Adult Epilepsy Surgery
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation
- Research
- Our Team
