|
INFORMATION ON CURRENTLY AVAILABLE DRUGS FOR ADULTS AVAILABLE IN THE U.K. These are Guide Lines only. |
|||
|
First
Line Drugs:
|
Available
as:
|
Treatment
|
Possible
side-effects include:
|
|
CARBAMAZEPINE
|
Carbamazepine
Tegretol Tegretol Retard |
Effective
against generalised tonic-clonic, & partial seizures.
Ineffective against absences. May worsen myoclonic seizures. |
Skin
rash if allergic to carbamazepine.
Blurred/double vision. Unsteadiness and nausea initially or if dose is too high. |
|
ETHOSUXIMIDE
|
Emeside
Zarontin |
Effective against absences only. | Nausea, drowsiness and irritability if dose too high. |
|
LAMOTRIGINE
|
Lamictal
|
Effective
against partial and generalised tonic-clonic seizures. |
Skin rash if allergic to Lamotrigine. Drowsiness, double vision, headache, dizziness, flu-like symptoms if dose too high. |
|
SODIUM
VALPROATE
|
Sodium
Valproate
Epilim Epilim |
Effective
against generalised tonic-Chrono clonic & partial Seizures. |
Drowsiness
& tremor (infrequent). Hair loss (usually reversible if dose is reduced. Weight gain possible Menstrual problems (report to Doctor) |
|
Second
Line Drugs:
|
Available as: | Treatment: | Possible side-effects include: |
|
ACETAZOLMIDE
|
Diamox
|
Effective against gen. tonic-clonic, partial & atypical drowsiness, absences but may develop tolerance | Lack
of appetite loss of weight drowsiness, depression, pins & needles, thirst,headache, fatigue, dizziness, irritability increased urine output |
|
CLOBOZAM
|
Frisium
|
Effective
against gen. Tonic-clonic sedating than & partial seizures but tolerance*
frequently develops |
Drowsiness but less sedating than Clonazepam or Diazepam. |
|
CLONAZEPAM
|
Rivotril
|
Effective against gen.tonic-clonic & partial seizures, absences & myoclonic seizures. | Drowsiness & sedation quite common but may wear off. Tolerance tends to develop. |
|
GABAPENTIN
|
Neurontin
|
Effective
for partial seizures where previous treatment has been ineffective. May make myoclonic seizures worse. |
Drowsiness, dizziness, headache & fatigue |
|
LEVETIRACETAM
|
Keppra
|
Recommended
for partial seizures where previous treatment has been ineffective |
Dizziness, drowsiness, irritability, insomnia, unsteadiness, tremor, headache, nausea & loss of appetite in high doses but usually disappear in a few days. |
|
OXCARBAZEPINE
|
Trileptal
|
Partial
& secondarily generalised seizures. |
Double
vision, nausea, unsteadiness, headache & confusion. Skin rash if allergic to Oxcarbazepine. |
|
PHENOBARBI-TONE
|
Phenobarbitone
BP
|
Effective against gen. Tonic-clonic & Partial seizures | Drowsiness may occur initially, sedation & slowing of mental performance may persist |
|
PHENYTOIN
|
Phenytoin
BP
Epanutin |
Effective
against gen.tonic-clonic & partial seizures. |
Skin
rash if allergic to Phenytoin. Drowsiness, unsteadiness, slurred Ineffective
against absences. Speech if dose too high. Coarsening of facial features, overgrowth of gums, hirsutis, & acne possible with prolonged therapy, as is Anaemia |
|
PIRACETAM
|
Nootropil
|
Recommended in myoclonic seizures where previous treatment has been ineffective | Very rare, may include weight gain, diarrhoea, insomnia, drowsiness, nervousness, depress ion & rash |
|
PRIMIDONE
|
Mysoline
|
Effective
against generalised tonic-clonic & partial seizures. May be ineffective against absences. |
Nausea, unsteadiness drowsiness may occur initially but sedation & slowing of mental performance may persist. |
|
TIAGABINE
|
Gabitril
|
Recommended
in partial seizures when previous treatment ineffective. May worsen myoclonic seizures. |
Dizziness, fatigue, tremor, anxiety, concentration difficulties, depression, agitation & jerkiness of limbs |
|
TOPIRAMATE
|
Topamax
|
Recommended
in partial seizures where previous treatment ineffective. |
Headache, pins & needles drowsiness, dizziness, loss of weight, kidney Stones. Blurred vision and/or eye pain. Slowing mental performance & of language may occur when doses increased but will usually disappear in a few days. |
|
VIGABATRIN
|
Sabril
|
Last resort
drug in partial & secondarily generalised seizures where all previous
treatment has been ineffective. May worsen absences & Myoclonic seizures. |
Drowsiness,
nausea, mood & behaviour changes. Visual effects in long term use (1
in 3 people)- tell Doctor. Visual fields should be measured 6 monthly while taking Vigabatrin. |