Mental health articles

antiepileptic medications side effects Anti-epileptic medication can lead to drowsiness and poor concentration.
Newer types of medication are less likely to do this.

Below are the more commonly used types of anti-epileptic medication and
their more common side effects described in alphabetical order. This is not
an exhaustive list but should help you gain some understanding of the
main issues.
Carbamazepine (brand name: Tegretol)
Carbamazepine is used to treat many forms of epilepsy. It is also used in
manic depression, challenging behaviour and facial pain. Side effects
include generalized rash, which goes away when the medicine is stopped.
Some people suffer from nausea and vomiting. If dizziness, drowsiness,
double vision, fever, sore throat, bruising or bleeding occurs the doctor
needs to be consulted immediately. However, this medicine is usually
without any serious side effects. Blood tests are not necessary.
Diazepam (brand name: Stesolid)
Diazepam is used rectally and sometimes intravenously to control status
epilepticus, which is the term used when seizures are prolonged and
multiple. This is a medical emergency. For side effects see Chapter
‘Benzodiazepines’ section.
Ethosuximide (brand name: Zarontin)
Ethosuximide is the drug of choice in absence seizures. It may cause
nausea, vomiting and drowsiness, which can be reduced by slowly introducing
the drug. It can also cause behavioural disturbances. If persistent
fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, bruising or bleeding develops, contact the
doctor immediately. Drug levels should be checked by blood tests.
Gabapentin (brand name: Neurontin)
Gabapentin is added to other anti-epileptic drugs to treat partial seizures.
Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness and unsteadiness.
Headache, double vision, tremor, nausea and vomiting can also occur.
Checking of drug levels by blood tests is not necessary Lamotrogine (brand name: Lamictal)
Lamotrogine is used to control partial seizures and some sorts of generalized
seizures. Rash is a common side effect; the likelihood of occurrence
can be reduced with slow introduction of the drug. Headache, nausea and
vomiting, double vision and unsteadiness can also occur. Although rare, if
there is a rash, fever, flu-like symptoms and a worsening of epilepsy,
contact the doctor immediately. Checking of drug levels by blood tests is
unnecessary.
Phenytoin (brand name: Epanutin)
Phenytoin is a very effective drug used to control tonic-clonic, simple and
partial seizures. It is being replaced by newer medicines with fewer
unwanted effects. As with most anti-epileptic drugs, clients may feel
sleepy. It is important to watch out for signs that the concentration of the
drug in the blood stream is too high. The person may feel dizzy, have
double vision, have a headache or be off-balance when he or she tries to
walk. Frequency of seizures may increase dramatically. People who have
been on phenytoin for many years may develop some unattractive side
effects, namely coarsening of facial features, acne-like rash and growth of
gums. The level of the drug in the blood must be maintained at a certain
level; therefore drug levels should be checked by blood tests.
Sodium valproate (brand name: Epilim)
Sodium valproate is effective against all forms of epilepsy. It is generally
well tolerated, although sedation can occur. Some people suffer with
nausea, vomiting or heartburn. Increased appetite and weight gain is a
common problem. Rarely, hair loss occurs but this recovers when the drug
is stopped. At high doses, tremor may occur. Very rarely, sodium valproate
damages the liver. The client may feel unwell and be jaundiced (skin
acquires a yellow tinge); seizure control may be lost. It is advisable to
contact a doctor immediately. Blood level monitoring is not necessary.
Topiramate (brand name: Topamax)
This is used as add-on therapy for partial seizures. Sedation and nausea are
common side effects. Blood level monitoring is not necessary.

Vigabatrin (brand name: Sabril)
Vigabatrin is used in chronic epilepsy not satisfactorily controlled by other
anti-epileptics. It is used to treat complex partial seizures and tonic-clonic
seizures. Sleepiness is a common side effect. Some people develop behavioural
disturbances including irritability, nervousness, depression and
aggression. Rarely, they may become psychotic.
Having intellectual disabilities does not exclude a person from brain
surgery to improve their seizure control. Surgery is not suitable for
everyonewho has epilepsy. It may be a possibility for some of those people
whose seizures are not controlled with drugs. The benefits and the possible
adverse effects of surgery upon each individual are considered carefully
before a decision is taken.

Tags: epilepsy