|
Epilepsy - Anticonvulsant Medications by Pharmacy |
| What is Epilepsy? Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by recurring
seizures, which are disturbances in the electrical activity
in the brain. Seizure types range from a momentary
disruption of senses to a loss of consciousness and violent
movements that can last for minutes. Epilepsy affects people
of all ages, from infants to the aged. There is no single
cause for epilepsy; however epilepsy can sometimes be
associated with a positive family history, illness, head
injury, or abnormal brain development. It is estimated that
1-2% of the population has epilepsy, and of those
individuals, approximately two-thirds respond well to
medical treatment. NIH/NINDS and its community-based
research partners are dedicated to finding a cure and/or
preventing epilepsy in individuals who have or are at risk
for seizures. This webpage is designed to provide some
information about ongoing epilepsy research efforts.
Select this link for more information about epilepsy: NINDS
Epilepsy Information Page
Is there any treatment?
Once epilepsy is diagnosed, it is important to begin
treatment as soon as possible. For about 80 percent of those
diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with
modern medicines and surgical techniques. Some antiepiletic
drugs can interfere with the effectiveness of oral
contraceptives. In 1997, the FDA approved the vagus nerve
stimulator for use in people with seizures that are not
well-controlled by medication.
What is the prognosis?
Most people with epilepsy lead outwardly normal lives. While
epilepsy cannot currently be cured, for some people it does
eventually go away. Most seizures do not cause brain damage.
It is not uncommon for people with epilepsy, especially
children, to develop behavioral and emotional problems,
sometimes the consequence of embarrassment and frustration
or bullying, teasing, or avoidance in school and other
social setting. For many people with epilepsy, the risk of
seizures restricts their independence (some states refuse
drivers licenses to people with epilepsy) and recreational
activities. People with epilepsy are at special risk for two
life-threatening conditions: status epilepticus and sudden
unexplained death. Most women with epilepsy can become
pregnant, but they should discuss their epilepsy and the
medications they are taking with their doctors. Women with
epilepsy have a 90 percent or better chance of having a
normal, healthy baby.
What research is being done?
Scientists are studying potential antiepileptic drugs with
goal of enhancing treatment for epilepsy. Scientists
continue to study how neurotransmitters interact with brain
cells to control nerve firing and how non-neuronal cells in
the brain contribute to seizures. One of the most-studied
neurotransmitters is GABA, or gamma-aminobutryic acid.
Researchers are working to identify genes that may influence
epilepsy. This information may allow doctors to prevent
epilepsy or to predict which treatments will be most
beneficial. Doctors are now experimenting with several new
types of therapies for epilepsy, including transplanting
fetal pig neurons into the brains of patients to learn
whether cell transplants can help control seizures,
transplanting stem cells, and using a device that could
predict seizures up to 3 minutes before they begin.
Researchers are continually improving MRI and other brain
scans. Studies have show that in some case, children may
experience fewer seizures if they maintain a strict diet -
called the ketogenic diet - rich in fats and low in
carbohydrates.
Select this link
to view a list of studies currently
seeking patients.
|
| Divalproex Sodium, in both
delayed-release tablet and capsule form, is used to treat
certain types of seizures and convulsions. |
| Phenytoin is an antiepileptic drug,
prescribed to control grand mal seizures (a type of
seizure in which the individual experiences a sudden loss
of consciousness immediately followed by generalized
convulsions) and temporal lobe seizures (a type of seizure
caused by disease in the cortex of the temporal [side]
lobe of the brain affecting smell, taste, sight, hearing,
memory, and movement). |
| For the adjunctive treatment of partial
seizures in epilepsy and generalized seizures of
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; For the maintenance treatment of
Bipolar I Disorder |
| For the management of postherpetic
neuralgia in adults and as adjunctive therapy in the
treatment of partial seizures with and without secondary
generalization in patients over 12 years of age with
epilepsy. |
| For the treatment of epilepsy and pain
associated with true trigeminal neuralgia. |
| Used for the treatment and control of
partial seizures and severe tonic-clonic (grand mal)
seizures and also for the prevention of migraine
headaches. In children it is also used for treatment of
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. |
| For use as monotherapy or adjunctive
therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in adults
with epilepsy and as adjunctive therapy in the treatment
of partial seizures in children ages 4-16 with epilepsy. |
| For use as sole and adjunctive therapy in
the treatment of simple and complex absence seizures, and
adjunctively in patients with multiple seizure types which
include absence seizures. |
|
Depakote - 250mg 10 tablets Sanofi
Depakote - 500mg 10 tablets
|
Depakote, Divalproex |
| Used, alone or with other drugs, to treat
certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. It
also is used to prevent migraine headaches and to treat
various psychiatric illnesses, such as bipolar disorder
and aggression. |
| The uses of Dilantin (Phenytoin)
include: Treats different types of seizures
(epilepsy). |
|
DIVAA - 125mg 10 tablets INTAS
DIVAA OD - 250mg 10 tablets ER
INTAS
DIVAA OD - 500mg 10 tablets
|
Depakote, Divalproex |
| Used, alone or with other drugs, to treat
certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. It
also is used to prevent migraine headaches and to treat
various psychiatric illnesses, such as bipolar disorder
and aggression. |
| Used to treat seizure disorders and to
prevent migraine headaches. |
| Valproic acid (Divalproex is a
derivative) is used, alone or with other drugs, to treat
certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. It
also is used to prevent migraine headaches and to treat
various psychiatric illnesses, such as bipolar disorder
and aggression. |
Keppra - 1000mg 50 Tablets U.C.B PHARMA
Keppra - 250mg 50 Tablets
Keppra - 500mg 50 Tablets
|
Levetiracetam |
| Keppra is an anticonvulsant used to treat
certain types of seizures. |
|
Neurontin 100mg 20 Capsules PFIZER
|
Gabapentin
|
| Neurontin, an epilepsy medication, is
used with other medications to treat partial seizures (the
type in which symptoms are limited). It may be prescribed
whether or not the seizures eventually become general and
result in loss of consciousness. Most important fact
about this drug -Take Neurontin exactly as directed by
your doctor. To effectively control your seizures, it is
important that you take Neurontin 3 times a day,
approximately every 8 hours. You should not go longer than
12 hours without a dose of medication. |
|
Oxcarb
- 150 mg Tab 30 Cipla-Protec
Oxcarb
- 300 mg Tab 30
Oxcarb
- 600 mg Tab 30
|
Oxcarbazepine, Trileptal
|
| Used to treat certain types of seizures
in the treatment of epilepsy. |
|
Phetoin - 100mg Tabs 100
Reliance |
Dilantin, Phenytoin |
| Used to treat various types of
convulsions and seizures. Phenytoin acts on the brain and
nervous system in the treatment of epilepsy. |
|
Tegretol - 100mg
Tabs 100 (10 x 10) Novartis
Tegretol - 200mg
Tabs 100
Tegretol - 400mg
Tabs 100
|
Atretol, Carbamazepine, Depitol, Epitol |
| Used to treat certain types of seizures
in the treatment of epilepsy. It also relieves facial
nerve pain. |
| Used with other drugs to control various
types of convulsions and seizures of epilepsy. |
|
Topamax - 100mg 60 Tabs Jansen Cilag
|
Topiramate |
| This medicine is an anticonvulsant used alone or with
other medicines to control certain types of seizures. It
may be also used to prevent migraine headaches or to treat
other conditions as determined by your doctor. |
|
Carbamazepine |
Brand /
Generic |
|
Depakote - 250mg 10 tablets Sanofi
Depakote - 500mg 10 tablets
|
Depakote, Divalproex |
| Used, alone or with other drugs, to treat
certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. It
also is used to prevent migraine headaches and to treat
various psychiatric illnesses, such as bipolar disorder
and aggression. |
| The uses of Dilantin (Phenytoin)
include: Treats different types of seizures
(epilepsy). |
|
DIVAA - 125mg 10 tablets INTAS
DIVAA OD - 250mg 10 tablets ER
DIVAA OD - 500mg 10 tablets ER |
Depakote, Divalproex |
| Used, alone or with other drugs, to treat
certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. It
also is used to prevent migraine headaches and to treat
various psychiatric illnesses, such as bipolar disorder
and aggression. |
| Used to treat seizure disorders and to
prevent migraine headaches. |
|