Definition
Epilepsy represents a serious neuronal disorder essentially derived from the alteration of electrical impulses in the brain; in this syndrome, the neurons (the cells used to transmit the signal) go crazy, causing serious consequences to the patient, who manifests more or less recurrent convulsions.
Causes
Epilepsy is heavily influenced by the genetic component, but familiarity is not the only causal factor; three other etiological elements that are at the origin of epilepsy, we remember: abuse of alcohol or drugs during pregnancy, abscesses and brain tumors, severe breathing difficulties just before birth (anoxia), exanthemic diseases (measles, rubella, chicken pox) , head trauma.
Symptoms
Epileptic seizures, due to the hyperactivity of neurons, can induce loss of consciousness; moreover, epilepsy is characterized by: sensory / psychological alteration, temporary mental confusion, uncontrolled gestures of arms and legs, wide open eyes with empty gaze, slowing or stopping of breathing, muscle stiffness.
The information on Epilepsy - Epilepsy Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Epilepsy - Epilepsy Treatment Drugs.
Medicines
Even in its mild forms, epilepsy is considered a risky and dangerous pathology, therefore it is advisable to consult a doctor and request drug treatment to prevent symptoms from worsening or recurring seizures; just think, for example, of the danger running a patient in case of a seizure during sports activities such as swimming or driving.
In the case of full-blown epilepsy, the doctor generally prescribes antiepileptic drugs: these active ingredients, in most cases, produce extraordinary effects, so much so as to reduce both the frequency and the intensity of epileptic seizures. In some patients, the " epilepsy occurs in such a mild form that the administration of a single drug, for a more or less long period of time, is sufficient to cancel the symptoms, and avoid the recurrence of the seizures.
If the drugs are not fully beneficial to the patient's health, the specialist may propose surgical treatment or other alternative treatments (vagus nerve stimulation).
The most complex problem seems to be the choice of the most suitable drug for the patient, both in terms of type and dosage; to deal with this problem and to test its possible reliability and efficacy, the doctor generally prescribes rather low dosages, to increase the dosage from time to time, gradually, until the epileptic seizures are completely controlled.
The following are the classes of drugs most used in the treatment against epilepsy, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:
- Phenytoin (eg Metinal Idantoina L, Dintoinale, Fenito FN): antiepileptic drug useful for preventing tonic-clonic seizures (violent and abrupt spasms in the muscles, alternating with relaxation of the muscles). It is recommended to take the drug intravenously at a dose of 10-15 mg / kg by slow injection into a vein (no more than 50 mg per minute). Alternatively, it is possible to inject 15-20 mg of active per kilo of body (no more than 50 mg per minute). The maintenance dose is 100 mg orally or i.v. every 6-8 hours (do not exceed 50 mg per minute). It is recommended that the plasma concentration of phenytoin be monitored to control side effects.
The drug can modulate the facial features, as well as generate acne, hirsutism and gingival hyperplasia; in addition, it gives liver toxicity.
- Sodium valproate (eg. Depakin, Ac Valproic): the drug is an anticonvulsant used in therapy to treat and prevent seizures in the context of "epilepsy. At the beginning, the drug should be taken at a dose of 10-15 mg / kg per day. ; if necessary, increase the dose by 5-10 mg / kg per week, to obtain the maximum therapeutic benefit. Typically, the maintenance dose is 60 mg / kg per day or less. Side effects of the drug are dose related.
- Topiramate (eg. Sincronil, Topamax): this drug is used as a complement to primary therapy, especially to treat and prevent generalized tonic-clonic seizures. However, it can also be used alone at the initial dose of 25 mg, to be taken in the evening, for 7 days. Slowly increase the dosage by 25-50 mg per day, every 7-14 days, always taking the drug in two divided doses during the 24 hours. The maintenance dose involves taking 100 mg of active, in 2 doses (not to exceed 400 mg / day). The drug, in addition to being used for the treatment of epilepsy, is also taken for the treatment of severe headaches and for weight loss (anorectic properties).
- Clobazam (eg Frisium): the drug belongs to the benzodiazepines and is sometimes used in therapy for epilepsy, with the aim of counteracting tonic-clonic seizures. Not to forget, however, the heavy sedative effects. Benzodiazepine therapy should generally not last for long periods, given the glaring side effects of these potent drugs. It is recommended to administer 20-30 mg of active per day; do not exceed 60 mg per day.
- Clonazepam (eg Rivotril): in general, this benzodiazepine is used in therapy as a complementary treatment to that with classic entiepilectics. Therefore, it is not the drug of first choice. Take 0.5 mg (for elderly epilepsy) or 1 mg (dose for adults with epilepsy), in the evening, for 4 days. It is possible to increase the dosage after 14-28 days, according to the response to the treatment. The maintenance dose is 4-8 mg. Consult your doctor.
- Ezogabine or Retigabine (eg Trobalt): this drug is suitable in the treatment of partial epilepsy: it is a drug that favors the opening of the neuronal potassium channels. The dosage should be carefully established by the doctor on the basis of the response to treatment; in general, the dose is 100 mg, to be taken 3 times a day. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 50 mg, three times a day, based on clinical response. The maintenance dose varies from 200 to 400 mg, to be taken by mouth, between times a day. Do not exceed 1,200 mg per day.
- Lacosamide (eg Vimpat): indicated for the treatment of partial epileptic seizures, for patients over 16 years of age. In general, it is recommended to take 50 mg of the drug, twice a day. After 7 days, increase the dosage to 100 mg, twice a day. If necessary, the dose can be increased by 50 mg every week (twice a day), up to a maximum of 200 mg twice a day.
- Levetiracetam (eg Keppra): patients suffering from epilepsy with partial seizures with or without generalization, suffering from myoclonic or tonic-clonic seizures can be treated with this antiepileptic drug. Indicatively, the drug should be taken at a dosage of 250 mg twice a day, up to 500 mg, twice a day (after 14 days). After one month, the dose can be increased to a maximum of 1,500 mg twice a day. Epilepsy patients on another drug should take a different dosage of Keppra. Consult your doctor for any clarifications.
Deepening: diet and epilepsy
It has been observed that a diet rich in lipids and low in carbohydrates (ketogenic diet) is able to reduce seizures, especially in children who are affected (less than or equal to 10 years of age): in the context of a state of ketosis in fact, the incidence of epilepsy attacks is markedly reduced.
