Common Side Effects of Epilepsy Medication

Epilepsy is a condition characterized by the presence of chronic seizures caused by an underlying neurological disorder.

Because these seizures can have a large array of different causes, there are a number of different medications designed to prevent the seizures caused by the underlying issue.

Although each drug has different possible side effects, there are a few common ones among every single one.

When first beginning any new form of medication, be sure to have your doctor or nurse thoroughly explain all common, uncommon and potentially dangerous side effects that can occur while taking the new medication. This will allow you to know what is normal, what to expect, and what you should alert your doctor of immediately. However, any good doctor will carefully monitor the medicine you are taking and how it affects you through the usage of frequent blood tests, especially at the beginning of treatment. It is not uncommon for a doctor to adjust or change a patient’s medication several times before he or she ‘gets it right’. Try to be patient as your doctor attempts to discover which form of medicine reacts best with your specific condition and body.

When an individual first starts pharmaceutical treatment for epilepsy, their body must get used to the new chemical they are putting into their system. During this time, they may experience dizziness, clumsiness, fatigue, slurred speech, or nausea. These side effects should dissipate as a person adjusts to taking the medication. They may appear again if the dosage is raised while the body readjusts or if the medication must permanently be at a very high dosage to remain effective.

Other side effects seem to be unrelated to the dosage amount. These include irritability or mood changes, appetite changes, weight loss or gain, sleepiness, insomnia, or rashes. Although these are not life threatening, they should be looked at by a doctor anyway in case there is a way to alleviate them or if they may be a sign of something much larger. Switching to a different medication, or being prescribed another one in addition to the one you are already taking, may fix the problem. Some of these symptoms can become reduced or disappear altogether with time.

More serious but much less common side effects include liver or pancreas damage, a drop in white blood cell count (reducing an individual’s ability to fight off infection), or a drop in platelet count (causing a person to have trouble clotting their blood). In the long term, bone thinning and joint problems are also a distinct possibility with some medications.

It is important to note that the serious side effects differ greatly with each medication while the more common side effects are pretty much the same for every epilepsy medication currently on the market. Always consult a specific medication to learn which side effects are possible with it. Epilepsy.com is a great resource for this. If anything seems out of the ordinary, be sure to consult your doctor immediately.

Sarah Danielson writes for a retirement planning website where you can find tips and advice on eligibility, investing, and establishing goals for your future.