According to the Epilepsy Foundation, mothers taking seizure medication, risk birth defects of 4 to 8 percent — compared with 2 to 3 percent for all babies. Not much of a difference.
But the risk seems to be highest when multiple seizure medications are taken. Yet, without medication, uncontrolled seizures may deprive the baby of oxygen. Seizures can also increase the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.
So, it’s important, as you know, to get the right balance.
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication Issues,
ResearchTags:
Barbiturates,
category C antiepileptic drugs,
Depakote (Valproic Acid),
Dilantin (Phenytoin),
Epilepsy,
Keppra,
Lamictal,
Lyrica,
medication dangers,
multiple seizure medications,
Neurontin,
Phenobarbital,
pregnancy,
Tegretol (Carbamazepine and Carbatrol),
Topamax,
Trileptal,
uncontrolled seizures,
Vimpat,
Zonegran
With all the colds and flu going around, it’s not easy to figure out which medications which are safe to take.
Obviously, the best way to manage medication interactions is to avoid medications that are known to cause problems.
A few medicines that you pick up off the shelf at the drug store can potentially increase the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy, or even cause first-time seizures.
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication IssuesTags:
Advil,
allergies,
antibiotics,
antihistamines,
antiviral medications,
aspirin,
Benadryl,
Cipro,
Claritin,
colds,
Doxycycline,
fever,
flu,
herbal medicines,
interactions,
Motrin,
Mucinex,
normal saline nasal spray,
pain,
pneumonia,
Robitussin DM,
Sudafed,
Tamiflu,
Tylenol,
Zyrtec
It’s the $64,000 question.
Can I have sex with epilepsy, all the AEDs, and side-effects?
The answer is yes.
If you’re willing to be flexible.
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication IssuesTags:
AEDS,
Barbiturates,
Carbamazepine (Tegretol,
Carbatrol) Phenobarbital,
decreased desire,
Depakene,
Epilepsy,
erection,
hormones,
lubrication,
medications,
metabolism,
normal sexual functioning,
painful intercourse,
Phenytoin (Dilantin),
physiology,
Primidone (Mysoline),
psychological,
sex,
testerone,
valporic acid (Depakene),
Viagra
There’s a whole treasure trove of clinical trials information now available as a free service of the National Institutes of Health, developed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
ClinicalTrials.gov is a web-based resource that provides patients, family members, health care professionals, researchers, and the public with easy access to information on publicly and privately supported clinical studies on a wide range of diseases and conditions.
Presently, there are 131,167 studies with locations in 179 countries, including the U.S. Studies are easy to search for by topic and location.
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication Issues,
News,
ResearchTags:
active,
clinical trials,
completed,
conditions,
database,
devices,
diseases,
drugs,
free,
international,
interventions,
medical products,
procedures,
recruiting,
results
Recently, the FDA approved the very first 3D-printed medication.
3D printing has taken the world by storm, and although it may sound like science fiction, it’s here to stay.
And the pharmaceutical industry is getting in on this innovative technology.
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication Issues,
News,
ResearchTags:
3D-printed medication,
Brivaracetam,
dissolves in your mouth,
improved,
Keppra,
partial-onset seizures,
Spirtam,
success,
thin layers of powdered medication
Figuring out birth control with epilepsy meds can be a challenge at best.
How will your AEDs affect your birth control? Will your birth control lessen the effectiveness of your meds?
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication Issues,
ResearchTags:
birth control,
birth control pills,
complications,
dangers,
implant,
IUD,
mini pills,
non hormonal,
safety,
seizures,
side effects,
skin patches,
vaginal ring
For those who suffer from celiac disease, here’s a run-down on the foods that should be on your no-no list:
Acupuncture, which as been part of China’s medical heritage for over 3,000 years, was introduced into the United States and Canada in the 1970’s.
Since that time, it’s become one of the most frequently requested of the complementary therapies (to be used in conjunction with conventional medicine or other treatments.)
Posted in
Epilepsy,
Medication Issues,
ResearchTags:
accupunture,
Complementary and alternative medicine,
effective,
Epilepsy,
frequently requested,
personal testimonials,
scientific studies,
treat the whole patient,
well-being
Seventies-era rock star Stevie Nicks is the poster girl for the perils of Klonopin addiction.
Whitney Houston ‘s death at 48, has raised the specter that she was taking Xanax (alprazolam) at the time she died.
What both situations have in common is that they were taking drugs in the benzodiazepine family.
And when it comes to prescription drugs that are able to destroy you, it’s hard to top the benzodiazepines.
As an orphan drug, you can see why epilepsy isn’t way up front in the funding department.
But, miraculously, there are 7 new drugs that have come down the line.
Here’s a brief summary of each…
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