Anti Epilepsy Drugs

YOUR

Epilepsy

Acetazolamide

Brand name: Diamox

Used for: Tonic clonic seizures, partial seizures, atypical absences, atonic and tonic seizures.

Possible Side Effects

Loss of appetite

Drowsiness

Pins and needles

Increased urination

Dizziness

Fatigue

Preparations: Tablets, capsules.

Adult Dosage Range: Orally: 250 mg-1000 mg per day in divided doses.

Children: This drug is not licensed for children in the UK and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.

Carbamazepine

Brand names: Tegretol, Tegretol Retard, Epimaz, Teril CR, Timoril Retard

Used for: Partial and secondary generalised tonic clonic seizures, some primary generalised seizure types.

Possible Side Effects:

Nausea and vomiting

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Headache

Confusion

Visual disturbances

Poor coordination

Skin rash

Constipation or diarrhoea

Preparations: Tablets, chewable tablets, liquid, suppositories.

Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initially 100-200 mg daily increasing slowly. Typical dose is 800-1200 mg daily in divided doses but sometimes up to 2000 mg per day is needed. Rectally: recommended as a short term measure only. 125 mg is thought to have the same therapeutic value as 100 mg orally, dosage should be adjusted according to clinical response to treatment.

Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.

Clobazam

Brand names: Clobazam, Frisium

Used for: Adjunctive therapy for tonic clonic and partial seizures.

Possible Side Effects:

Drowsiness

Light headedness

Confusion

Amnesia

Depression

Headache

Vertigo

Libido changes

Muscle weakness

Preparations: Tablets.

Adult Dosage Range: Orally: 20-30 mg per day. Maximum dose is 60 mg per day.

Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK over the age of 3 years. It is not recommended that children take more than half the adult dose.

Clonazepam

Brand names: Rivotril.

Used for: All forms of epilepsy, status epilepticus.

Possible Side Effects:

Drowsiness

Fatigue

Dizziness

Disturbed coordination

Aggression and irritability

Preparations: Tablets, injection (for status).

Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initially 1 mg at night gradually increasing to 4-8 mg daily in divided doses.

Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.

Ethosuximide

Brand names: Emeside, Zarontin.

Used for: Absence seizures. Sometimes used for atonic and tonic seizures

Possible Side Effects:

Weight loss

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Gastro-intestinal disturbances

Photophobia

Headache

Rash

Depression

Preparations: Tablets, liquid.

Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initially 500 mg daily increasing slowly. Typical dose is 1000-2000 mg daily in divided doses.

Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment. A child over the age of 6 may take the initial adult dose and slowly increase. Children under the age of 6 begin with 250 mg daily and gradually increase dosage typically.

Gabapentin

Brand names: Neurontin.

Used for: Partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation which have not been controlled satisfactorily with other treatments.

Possible Side Effects:

Dizziness

Weight gain

Tremor

Fatigue

Headache

Drowsiness

Preparations: Tablets, capsules.

Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initially 300 mg daily increasing slowly to a maximum of 2400 mg daily. Typical dose is 900-1200 mg daily in divided doses.

Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK over the age of 6 and the dosage will typically be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.

Lamotrigine

Brand names: Lamictal

Used for: Partial seizures, primary and secondary generalised tonic clonic seizures, seizures associated with Lennox-Gestaut syndrome.

Possible Side Effects:

Rash

Fever

Malaise

Flu like symptoms

Drowsiness

Preparations: Tablets, soluble tablets.

Adult Dosage Range: Orally: As a monotherapy 25 mg per day initially increasing slowly. Usual maintenance dose is 100-200 mg per day in divided doses but up to 500 mg may be required. If this drug is being used in conjunction with another AED then the initial dose and final maintenance dosage will vary according to the other drug.

Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.

Levetiracetam

Brand names: Keppra

Used for: Treatment for partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation. Adjunctive therapy for myoclonic seizures in adolescents aged 12 or above in JME.

Possible Side Effects:

Drowsiness

Dizziness

Diarrhoea

Depression

Aggression

Rash

Nervousness

Tremor

Preparations: Tablets, liquid.

Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initially 1000 mg per day in two divided doses gradually increased according to response to a maximum dose of 3000 mg per day.

Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK over the age of four and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.