How long do you have to take epilepsy medicine?

For adults, it’s usually between 1 and 6 months, though some doctors think 3 months is the minimum.

When do you stop taking antiepileptic medication?

In 1994, the American Academy of Neurology published guidelines recommending discontinuation of antiepileptic drug therapy if the following criteria are met: seizure-free for two to five years, only one type of epilepsy, normal EEG findings, and normal neurologic examination findings.

Do people with epilepsy take medication everyday?

How do I take my medicine? Epilepsy medicine is usually taken once or twice each day. Sometimes it is taken 3 times a day. It’s important to take it regularly, as prescribed by your doctor, because missing a dose can increase the risk of having a seizure.

Can epilepsy be treated completely?

There’s no cure for epilepsy, but the disorder can be managed with medications and other strategies.

How long can epilepsy last?

Most seizures last from 30 seconds to two minutes. A seizure that lasts longer than five minutes is a medical emergency.

How do you withdraw antiepileptic drugs?

How to withdraw antiepileptic drugs. Withdrawal should be gradual and take place over approximately six months. Rapid withdrawal, particularly of barbiturates and benzodiazepines, can precipitate seizures. The withdrawal protocol for adults in the MRC study decreased doses every four weeks (see Box 2).

What happens if I take my seizure medication twice?

Do not take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. It’s important to take this medicine regularly. Missing doses may trigger a seizure.

What causes a fit?

In adults, the most common cause of a seizure, also known as a convulsion or fit, is epilepsy. However, it can be caused by other things, including a head injury, alcohol poisoning, lack of oxygen, after taking certain drugs, or if someone with diabetes has a ‘hypo’ where their blood glucose is too low.