Epilepsy is a condition which causes abnormal activity in the neurons, or clusters of nerve cells, in the brain, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (see Reference 1). There is currently no cure for epilepsy, although the Epilepsy Foundation says that 50 percent of patients can gain complete control of their seizures when the right medication is used (see Reference 2). In some cases, only partial control is gained, but with close monitoring, improvement can be realized. It should be noted that not every seizure medication will work for every epileptic, and the side effects can sometimes be severe.
Depakote
Depakote is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of epilepsy, and is used to treat a variety of seizure types. It affects the chemicals in the brain that cause the seizures, reducing or completely eliminating the occurrence of them. Depakote can cause liver damage, so during treatment, your doctor will likely monitor your liver functions.
It is important to take this exactly as prescribed by your doctor, even during times when you may not be experiencing any seizures. Discontinuing your medication without your doctor's permission could result in a sudden return of epileptic episodes. You should also contact your doctor if your seizures are not improving; he may need to adjust your dose until the medication reaches a therapeutic level.
Common side effects include weight gain, increased appetite, hair loss, fatigue, emotional changes such as depression or anxiety and enlarged breasts. More serious side effects requiring you to contact your doctor immediately include lack of urination, extreme drowsiness, fever, chills, hallucinations and double-vision.
Klonopin
Considered an add-on medication---one that helps support a first-line treatment such as Depakote---Klonopin is actually a benzodiazepine (tranquilizer). It helps control seizures by taking the stress out of the seizure, or removing the anxiety from the situation.
Klonopin should be taken exactly as prescribed and only for the length of time it is prescribed. It is a drug which can cause physical dependency and should not be used longer than 9 weeks according to Drugs.com (see Resources below). Discontinuing use or reducing your dose suddenly could result in seizures and a plethora of emotional issues such as severe mood swings.
Common side effects include slurred speech, drowsiness, insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite, weight changes, headache and memory loss. Severe side effects include confusion, unusual thoughts, depression, hallucinations, hyperactivity, chest tightness and shallow breathing.
Zonegran
A fairly new drug, Zonegran is effective for treating seizures, such as partial seizures, that are localized in one specific area of the brain. It is not a medication which can be used alone; it must be accompanied with another medication to be effective. Additionally, stopping this medication suddenly can result in seizures.
As with all other epileptic medications, Zonegran needs to be taken exactly as prescribed. According to Dr. Andrew Braunstein, neurologist at Lake Norman Neurology in Statesville, NC, the maximum, therapeutic amount is 400 mg. per day; taking anymore than this will not help prevent your seizures.
Common side effects include agitation, confusion, difficulty concentrating, depression, drowsiness, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, speech problems and slowing of your mental processes.
