Keeping your seizures under control contributes to leading a full life. Not taking your medication as prescribed will interfere with your day-to-day routine.
People who suddenly stop taking their medication may have more seizures and/or life-threatening status epilepticus (where life-threatening seizures last for more than five minutes or occur one after another).
You may feel that taking medication everyday is a real hassle and that “other teens don’t, so why should I?” Try to think of it this way, which is more of a hassle? Knowing when to take your medication so that you can plan your day around it? Or never knowing when a seizure might occur?
If your doctor feels that it is the right time for you to go off medication, the process requires patience. Your doctor will probably order blood tests, and work with you to determine how to discontinue treatment. This will depend on a number of things, such as how long you have been seizure free, the type of seizures you experience, the medication you take, etc. Any concerns about going off medication should be discussed with your doctor.
Never stop taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on your own. This could result in status epilepticus.
Remember to take your medication as prescribed each day. Here are a few tips to help you remember.
- Wear a watch with an alarm and set it for the time you need to take your medication.
- When travelling to places with a different time zone, wear a watch set to your home time zone, and take medication according to this time.
- Use a pillbox.
- Associate your medication time with a daily activity. For example, when you use the bathroom in the morning and/or at night, take your medication. Discuss this method with your doctor.
- Always carry medication with you in case you are not at home when it is time to take it.
- Attend your regular scheduled doctor appointments as a motivator to help you continue your medication.
- To ensure that you have enough medication between scheduled doctor appointments, calculate and keep track of how many pills you have left in each medication bottle. Keep your physician informed of this.Note: As a young adult you have adult responsibilities: this includes taking care of your health. Make sure you are doing so by taking your medication as prescribed.
There may be side effects when taking antiepileptic drugs. Side effects depend on the type of AED, the dosage, and your own response to the medication. If you are having a major side effect, such as an allergic reaction to your AED, consult your doctor immediately. There are many types of AEDs, so switching to another AED may be an option. Remember: all types of medication may have minor side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, rashes etc., and these are not uncommon. Be sure to ask your doctor if there are any possible side effects you should be aware of.
During puberty, your body starts to undergo many physical changes. You may grow taller, gain weight, and have added hair growth. Since your body is changing at such a fast rate, the dosage you were already using may not be enough. Your doctor may want to order more frequent blood tests, in order to find a better dosage for you.
For more information about antiepileptic medications, refer to Anti-Epileptic Medications on this site.