What are Antiepileptic drugs?

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Antiepileptic Drugs 

The drugs used for the treatment of epileptic seizures are called antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Epilepsy causes your brain to send abnormal signals. This activity can cause seizures. Seizures can occur due to various reasons, such as injury or illness. Epilepsy is a condition that causes repeated seizures. There are several types of epileptic seizures. Many of them can be treated with anti seizure medications. Antiepileptic drugs work by controlling epileptic seizures by reducing the abnormal and excessive activity of nerve cells in the brain. For up to 70% of epileptic patients, medications can control seizures. However, these drugs cannot cure epilepsy, and most people are required to take medications for their lifetime. Correct diagnosis of the type of epilepsy in a person is essential for selecting the best treatment.

When are Antiepileptic drugs used?

Antiepileptic drugs are used to treat epileptic seizures.

Which are the brands of Antiepileptic drugs in the market?

• Phenytoin (Eptoin, Epsolin, Dilantin, Celetoin, C-Toin, Phenykem, Epsod, M Toin, Eptokind, Kiptoin)
• Phenobarbitone (G Eris Lifesciences, Gardenal, Piplar, Phenobarb, Nytoin, Epikon, Epitan, Luminal, Luminalettes, Fenobarb)
• Carbamazepine (Tegrital, Zeptol, Mazetol, Versitol, Karpin, Carbatol, Zigma, Mezapin, Shitol, Acetol)
• Ethosuximide (Absenz)
• Sodium Valproate + Valproic Acid (Encorate, Valparin, Valprol, Epilex, Torvate Chrono, Valprid, Valgress , Valtec, Valrate, Soval Chrono)
• Sodium Valproate (Valparin, Encorate, Torvate, Epival, Napilex, Neoprate, Valox, Vikorate, Valparex, Valpar)
• Divalproex (Dicorate, Divaa, Valance, Desval, Depakote, Valance OD, Dayo OD, Divalgress, Valkem, Trend)
• Clonazepam (Lonazep, Zapiz, Clonotril, Clonafit, Petril, Melzap, Cloze, Lonapam, Clonam, Clonax)
• Lamotrigine (Lamitor, Lametec, Lamez, Lamosyn, Lamictal, Lamepil, Lamokem, Lemz OD, Voltrigin, Lamotem)
• Gabapentin (Gabapin, Pentanerv, Acegaba, Laregab, Gabator, Gabalent, Gabawell, Gabapax, Gapitas, Gabacent)
• Topiramate (Topamac, Topirol, Topaz, Topirain, Tormap, Leptomate, Epitop, Topamed, Monotop, Topate)
• Zonisamide (Zonegran, Zonisep, Zonimid, Zonicare, Zonit, Epigran, Caesar, Asmide)
• Lacosamide (Lacosam, Lacoset, Lacotide, Seizgard, Laconext, Sizlac, Lacoxa, Joseiz, Lacosure, Lacoptal)

Side effects of Antiepileptic Tablet 

• Rashes
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Nervousness
• Constipation
• Tension
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea
• Hyperactivity
• Low in blood pressure
• Fatigue
• Excitement
• Hangover
• Balance disorder (loss of balance)
• Blurred vision
• Dryness in mouth
• Indigestion
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Hiccup
• Gingivitis
• Hair fall
• Liver failure
• Memory loss
• Nasal congestion
• Numbness

Precautions related to Antiepileptic drugs

• Consumption of alcohol with antiepileptic drugs is unsafe, as some of these drugs cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.
• Antiepileptic tablet are unsafe to use in pregnant women as there is definite evidence of risk for the developing child. However, doctors can hardly prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
• Some antiepileptic tablet are safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not enter the breast milk in large amount and is not harmful to the baby. Please consult your doctor.
• Antiepileptic drugs should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment may be required. Please consult your doctor.
• Antiepileptic drugs should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustments may be needed. Please consult your doctor. However, some antiepileptic drugs are not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.

When not to Consume Antiepileptic drugs?

• Depression
• Hypoglycemia
• Bradycardia
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Allergies
• Hemolytic anemia
• Myasthenia gravis
• Black cataract
• Dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• COPD
• Kidney stones

FAQs related to Antiepileptic drugs

1) Is it safe to take antiepileptic tablet while driving vehicles or operating heavy machines?

Antiepileptic drugs can reduce alertness, affect your vision, or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Therefore, anti-epileptic drugs should be used with caution when driving vehicles or operating heavy machines.

2) Can antiepileptic drugs cause addiction?

Antiepileptic drugs do not have a tendency to become addictive.

3) Is it safe to use antiepileptic drugs in patients suffering from kidney or liver disease?

Antiepileptic tablet should be used cautiously in patients with liver and kidney disease.

4) Can I stop taking antiepileptic drugs after managing my epileptic seizures?

No, you should not stop taking antiepileptic tablet without consulting your doctor. Abruptly stopping antiepileptic drugs can increase the chances of recurring epileptic seizures.

Antiepileptic Tablet Reaction with Food and Alcohol

• It is safe to take antiepileptic drugs with food.
• It is not safe to consume alcohol with antiepileptic drugs because some of them may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.

Interaction of Antiepileptic Tablet with other Drugs

Severe 

• Codeine (Parvo Cof, Normovent, Phenkuff, Phensedyl Cough, Grilinctus CD)
• Lamotrigine (Lametec, Lamitor, Lamepil, Lamez, Lamiace)
• Erythromycin (Cynoryl Tablet, Acnetoin, Agrocin Tablet, Althrocin, Citamycin Tablet)
• Imipramine (Trikodep Forte, Sycodep, Trikodep, Tudep, Toframine)
• Warfarin (Uniwarfin, Mywarf, Warfarin, Warf, Sofarin)
• Atazanavir (Atavir, Atazanavir + Cobicistat, Atazor, Virataz, Qvir)
• Cyclosporin (Cyclodrop, SaNeoral, Sandimmun, ndimmun, Psorid, Consiral)
• Amoxicillin (Mega CV, Blumox Ca, Erox Cv, Mox clav, Bactoclav)
• Azithromycin (Azibest, Azibact, Atm, Azilide, Zithrox)
• Acetazolamide (Ac Mox, Mylimus, Acetamide, Actamid, Acetazolamide)

Moderate 

• Alprazolam (Flumusa Forte , Anxit, Alprax, , Alp Plus, Alprop)
• Atenolol (Stamlo Beta, Amlokind AT, Betacard, Aten, Amlopres AT)
• Amlodipine (Amtas Tablet , Amlodac Tablet, Angicam Tablet, Amlokind AT, Amchek Tablet)
• Dextromethorphan (Ascoril D, Alex, Tusq DX, Grilinctus, Tixy Soft)
• Primidone (Prolet, Mysoline, Primidone)
• Quinidine (Natcardine,Quinidine)
• Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin (Pfizer), Dexoren S, Chlorocol, Chlorophenicol, Chlor Succ)
• Disulfiram (Deadict, Dizone, Cronodol, Disulfiram)
• Itraconazole (Onitraz Forte, Syntran, Candiforce Capsule, Canditral, Onitraz)
• Amiodarone (Amiodar, Amipace, Cordarone X, Amiodon)

Mild

• Cimetidine (Cimetidine, Acitak)

 Substitutes of Antiepileptic Tablet 

• Herbal remedies: Some of the most commonly used herbs for epilepsy are groundsel, hydrocotyle, lily, valerian.

• Vitamins: Certain vitamins can help reduce the rate of seizures caused by certain types of epilepsy. But keep in mind that vitamins do not work alone. They can help some medicines work more effectively or reduce your required dose.

• Magnesium: Severe magnesium deficiency may increase the risk of epileptic seizures. Some research suggests that magnesium supplementation may reduce epileptic seizures.

• Self-control and biofeedback: Some people with epilepsy try to control their brain activity to reduce the rate of epileptic seizures. The theory is that if you can detect the symptoms of an impending seizure, you may be able to stop it.

Self-control methods are used to prevent or reduce the intensity of epileptic seizures. There are many techniques like meditation, walking, involving oneself in a task, smelling a strong smell, etc.

• Dietary changes: Some dietary changes may also help reduce seizures. The most well-known diet is the ketogenic diet, which focuses on eating a high proportion of fat.

Disclaimer: The information created here is the best of our knowledge and experience and we have done our best to make it as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but we would like to request that it should not be considered as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

Logintohealth is a means of providing general information about medicines to our audience and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustion. Even if the warning for a drug or combination is not mentioned, it does not mean that we are claiming that the drug or combination is safe for consumption without proper consultation with a specialist. 

Logintohealth does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubt about your medication, we recommend seeing a doctor immediately.