Can't you stop taking epileptic drugs

summary

A friend was in good condition half a year after the resection of neurocytoma in the right ventricle in 2012. However, he developed epilepsy symptoms in October 2012. After taking sodium valproate sustained-release tablets, his condition still did not improve. He basically suffered from the disease once in March, but he has not suffered from the disease in nearly five months since April this year. I'd like to ask if I can stop taking the medicine?

Can't you stop taking epileptic drugs

The course of treatment of antiepileptic drugs in patients with epilepsy is generally 4-5 years. After 3 years of drug treatment, the epilepsy has not occurred, so the patients can consider gradually reducing the drug until the drug can be completely stopped. The process of drug reduction until drug withdrawal generally takes 1-2 years.

The mechanism of antiepileptic drugs is to inhibit the abnormal discharge of brain cells. Sudden withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs can lead to the sudden release of the inhibition of brain cells and the recurrence of abnormal discharge of brain cells, which can lead to the recurrence of seizures and even induce status epilepticus. Therefore, after the patient's condition is stable, the dosage of drugs should be gradually reduced. In the process of reduction, routine EEG examination should be carried out. If the EEG examination results show no epileptic discharge, the drugs can be safely reduced. If the EEG examination shows that there is still epileptic discharge, the antiepileptic drugs should be continued until the epileptic discharge disappears during the re examination.

Even in the process of gradual reduction of drugs, patients can also have seizures. At this time, the original dosage of drugs should be restored immediately. If there is no recurrence after 3 years, the dosage should be reduced gradually. Some patients who have been treated for a long time may need to take medicine for life.

matters needing attention

When considering drug withdrawal, it is necessary to gradually reduce drug withdrawal under the guidance of doctors.