The ultimate goal of epilepsy treatment is seizure freedom with minimal side effects. But, you may also have goals and ideas about treatment that are unique to you. For example, regaining your driver’s license may be among your highest priorities . . . or, you may be content to rely on public transportation. Only you know what matters most to you, so be sure to discuss your individual treatment goals with your neurologist.
Examples of personal treatment goals include:
- Feeling comfortable in a relationship
- Ability to regain/retain your driving privileges
- Job stability
- Academic success
- Participation in sports
- A healthy pregnancy
As with any medical condition, epilepsy treatments have potential risks and side effects. So, it is important that you discuss your treatment options with your neurologist and treatment team.
AEDs are the most common treatment for controlling seizures. These include:
- First-generation epilepsy medications—First used in the late 1800s and early 1900s; some are still in wide use today
- Second-generation epilepsy medications—Newer epilepsy medications began to appear in the 1990s
During a seizure, nerve cells become overexcited and communications become excessive. AEDs help control seizures by decreasing excitatory signals between nerve cells and/or increasing inhibitory signals.
Learn about Keppra XR®, a medication that has been proven to provide seizure control, even for patients with difficult-to-treat epilepsy.
- Ketogenic diet—High-fat, low-carb diet, mostly used in very young children with difficult-to-control generalized epilepsy
- Vagal Nerve Stimulator (VNS)—Pacemaker-like device implanted under the skin in the upper part of the chest; generates pulses of electricity to stimulate the vagus nerve
- Surgery—Surgical procedure designed to eliminate seizures by removing the particular section of the brain where the seizure originates. The most common procedure is the anterior temporal lobectomy. Less common procedures include the corpus callosotomy and hemispherectomy.
Next: Epilepsy FAQs
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Keppra XR® is a prescription medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in people 16 years of age and older with epilepsy.
Keppra XR® is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your doctor if Keppra XR® is right for you. Like other antiepileptic drugs, Keppra XR® may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500 people taking it. Patients should call their healthcare provider right away if they have depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior while taking Keppra XR®. Keppra XR® may cause extreme sleepiness, tiredness, and weakness, and problems with muscle coordination. Keppra XR® may also cause mood and behavior changes including psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and unusual behavior. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms. The most common side effects seen with Keppra XR® and other formulations of Keppra® include sleepiness, weakness, dizziness, and infection. Do not stop taking Keppra XR® unless instructed by your healthcare provider. Stopping a seizure medication all at once can cause seizures that will not stop, a very serious problem.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may also report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or go to www.fda.gov/medwatch or contact UCB, Inc. at 1-866-822-0068.
Please see Keppra XR® Medication Guide and Full Prescribing Information for additional important patient information.
*With this coupon, you pay the first $25 of your Keppra XR® or Keppra® co-pay and we pay your remaining out-of-pocket expense up to a maximum of $30. This coupon may not be reproduced and must accompany a valid, signed Keppra XR® prescription. No cash value. Offer not valid for prescriptions reimbursed or paid under any government health insurance program (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare) or any private payer in Massachusetts or where otherwise prohibited by law. Patients are responsible for reporting this rebate to any private insurer that covers any part of the prescription. Offer expires on 12/31/12. UCB may cancel or alter this program at any time without notice.