According to the Epilepsy Foundation, 200,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed each year. While no cure is available for this condition, 70 percent of those diagnosed are expected to become seizure-free once on the right medication, or combination of medications, for a minimum of five years. Some medications are prescribed more frequently than others, and the side effects vary accordingly.
Most Common Side Effects
According to Steven C. Schachter, MD, topic editor of Epilepsy,com, certain side effects may be present in all seizure medications. These include fatigue, dizziness, stomach discomfort and blurred vision. In some cases patients simply need an adjustment in the dose for the side effects to subside. In other cases, it's a matter of allowing the body time to acclimate itself to the medication.
Valproic Acid: Depakote
According to Healthlinkbc.ca, valproic acid is the drug of choice for the treatment of generalized epilepsy, myoclonic seizures, absent seizures and partial seizures. While considered a first-line drug, it may be used in combination with other drugs to effectively control seizure activity.
The most common side effects associated with valproic acid include nausea, vomiting, temporary hair loss, weight gain, tremors and irregular menstrual cycles in women. This medication may cause liver damage; while taking it, patients are often required to undergo periodic blood tests to ensure their liver enzymes are within the normal range.
Carbamazepine: Tegretol
According to Epilepsy.com, carbamazepine is most effective for patients with partial seizures, secondary generalized seizures and tonic-clonic seizures. It is not particularly effective for patients diagnosed with absent or myoclonic seizures.
Its most common side effects include dizziness, loss of balance, vomiting, drowsiness and nausea. According to the Mayo Clinic, its rare but serious side effects include bone or joint pain, blood in the urine or stools, painful urination, nosebleeds or unusual bruising and shortness of breath.
Clonazepam: Klonopin
Clonazepam is considered an add-on medication and is prescribed for patients who continue having seizures while taking a first-line seizure medication such as valproic acid. According to Epilepsy.com, it is frequently used to help treat absent seizures and forms of myoclonic epilepsy such as juvenile myoclinic epilepsy and progressive myoclonic epilepsy.
The most common side effects associated with clonazepam include drowsiness, slurred speech, runny nose, loss of appetite, headaches, changes in weight, problems with memory, drooling, nervousness and blurred vision.
