drug of choice for seizures

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Emee

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I know everyone is different but in your experience which seizure/anti seizures medication do you think has the least side effects? Thanks.
 
Let's see, after being on 12+ seizure meds, the one for me with the least side effect(s) was probably Neurontin. Too bad it didn't control my seizures, tho. :(
 
This is nearly impossible to answer. As you say, everyone is different. Different in terms of not just how we respond to a medication in general but also in terms of how we react to a particular dose size of a certain medication. For instance, I could say I had no side effects to Keppra but lots to Tegretol while someone else might say Keppra was horrible for them but Tegretol was okay . . . but that is not taking into account the size of the dose, the frequency of dosing, other seizure and non-seizure medications that the person is taking, non-prescription medications and supplements being consumed, differences in metabolism, difference in body size of two people, etc.
In my case I have had side effects to what would have been low doses of a particular medication, while others on here were taking 2x and 3x that amount with no side effects. I have also been on more typical doses of other medications and had no side effects whereas others here complained when they were on even lower doses than I was.
If you are planning on using responses here as a guide as to what to choose: I wouldn't advise it. This is something to be worked on with your doctor, who will know what medication to choose based on seizure type, seizure cause (if known), and how you have responded to particular medications to date (some work on calcium channels, some on potassium channels, some influence GABA functioning, etc.). And from there, trial and error to achieve a balance between seizure control and tolerability of side effects.
 
I've been on 22 different seizure meds and the only ones that have done anything for my seizures are Tegretol ,Topamax and Phenobard.

I don't have hardly any side effects from my aeds either.

Nothing completely controls me know matter what I take I still manage to seize regardless.
 
Trileptal has worked great for the seizures and haven't had one that i know of since Oct. but it really messes with my mood.. because of the mood changes the neurologist wants to work Lamictal into my system and see how that goes... I'm still new to all this seizure stuff(was told I have a DNET tumor after an MRI Oct of this year) and I still have more tests to go through to figure out exactly what the seizures are having an effect on. I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster and I'm def. not having any fun.
 
Gabapentin, but I was given that before I had seizures for nerve pains. Since having seizures I think Keppra has the most liveable side effects, and Tegretol has had the worst and more dangerous ones for me.
 
Keppra even though it doesn't control my seizures 100%

Main downside is the medication is very expensive
 
Are you in the USA?

All medication here is subsidised so we only have to pay a prescription fee, $5 per med if its from a GP and $15 if its from a specialist. Though it can get pricey if you have to get lots of meds at once, but once you hit 20 prescriptions in a year you get all the rest for free for that year.
 
Gabapentin for me has had less side effects so far. It's much better than Topirimate imo.
 
For me, compared to all of the other meds I've been on, it's the two i'm on now, Lamotrigine and Carbamazepine. They seem to control my seizure's best so far. I still have seizure's happen, but few side effects other than some slight depression, and double vision from time to time.
 
There is only one of fourteen AEDs that I been on that had fewer side effects. Trileptal
does have the usual tiredness, but after fourteen different AEDs I don't see it. The only side effect that bugs me is the severe dry scalp & skin. :(

Hopefully in about 1 1/2 years, I'll be able to start my journey away from it. :)
 
I'm with Jen, any answer anyone gives is really just an answer uniquely for ourselves since each med would react so differently for each person in terms of the effectiveness/side effects profile. I've had almost no side effects on Tegretol, Lamictal, or Keppra, but Tegretol stopped working, Lamictal made one type of seizure worse, and Keppra is what I am on now. It is not 100% effective though. Topamax was a walking nightmare of side effects that threatened my health and sanity. But you never know what any one drug might do for you.
 
Ok I'll just give a shout out for Dilantin, and Vimpat.
I've taken Dilantin since diagnosis (about 4-5 years now) and it has seemed pretty stable.
Vimpat I've been on also for maybe almost a year now, and it has seemed like it might be cutting some of my seizures down before they can develop into a full-on TC. TCs are my usual type.
But then again neither have made my seizures cease entirely - I had some about a week ago. But they did seem ~different.
 
Dilantin :rock: Completely controlling my gran mal seizures for over a decade, been taking it for 40+ years. I'm lucky that I've had very few side affects and that it has been so effective that I can lead the life I want to. I do know that others have had serious problems with Dilantin so, like everyone has been saying, you have to find what works for you.
 
To me Dilantin seems kind of like good-ol' iodized table salt in a world of boutique gourmet flavored sea salts and such. The ol' standard.
 
Dolores said:
Dilantin :rock: Completely controlling my gran mal seizures for over a decade, been taking it for 40+ years....
Click to expand...
Quick question if you don't mind - what is your dose?
I take 500mg one day, 600mg the next day, alternating days, taking the standard 100mg pills (5 pills, then 6, d'oy). My neuro had indicated at some point that I'm basically at a maximum of dose... No wait maybe that was for my Invega...
:ponder:
 
I liked Dilantin too, but it started to affect my gums. I'm on Lamotrigine now which is basically okay, though I could do without the dry eyes/mouth and the blurry vision.
 
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