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Seizure medications are used to control seizures in people with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that involves recurrent seizures caused by abnormal brain activity.
Seizure medications are most frequently administered in pill form that should be taken at the same time every day. However, some seizure medications are available as a liquid, suppository or intravenous injection.
Most seizure medications control seizures by slowing down or stopping neuronal excitability in certain parts of the brain. This reduces the risk of neurons firing uncontrollably, which causes seizures. In some cases, seizure medications are used to treat other conditions such as neuropathy and certain mental health problems, although how it works to treat these conditions is not completely understood.
For people with epilepsy, the goal of seizure medications is to reduce the frequency of seizures as much as possible with the fewest adverse side effects. This is usually achieved by starting the patient on a low dose of seizure medication and slowly increasing the dosage until seizures are controlled. A physician will select the most suitable seizure medication for a person with epilepsy based on the type of seizures experienced, the results of certain diagnostic tests (e.g., electroencephalogram) and the patient’s history with similar medications. In some cases, patients may have to switch medications two or three times before they find one that controls their seizures with minimal adverse side effects. Some people may need to take more than one medication to control their seizures. The use of multiple medications is called polytherapy, as opposed to monotherapy, in which a single seizure medication is used. |
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