Epilepsy Drugs to Treat Seizures

 See below a link to an article by WebMD discussing the use of Epilepsy Drugs to Treat Seizures, including these common brand-name AEDs and more:

Brivaracetam (Briviact):

Approved for use as an add-on treatment to other medications in treating partial onset seizures in patients aged 16 years and older.

Possible side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

Cannabidiol (Epidiolex):

Approved in 2018 for treatment of severe or hard-to-treat seizures including those in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

Common side effects include lethargy, sleepiness, fatigue, increased appetite, diarrhea and sleep disorders.

Carbamazepine (Carbatrol or Tegretol):

For partial, generalized tonic-clonic and mixed seizures

Common adverse effects include fatigue, vision changes, nausea, dizziness, rash.

Cenobamate (Xcopri):

For use in adults with partial onset seizures

Common side effects include insomnia, dizziness, fatigue, diplopia, and headache were most common in trials

Diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan) and similar Benzodiazepine tranquilizers such as clonazepam (Klonopin):

Effective in short-term treatment of all seizures; used often in the emergency room to stop a seizure, particularly status epilepticus

Tolerance develops in most within a few weeks, so the same dose has less effect over time.

Valium can be given orally, as an injection, in an IV or as rectal suppository.

Side effects include tiredness, unsteady walking, nausea, depression, and loss of appetite. In children, they can cause drooling and hyperactivity.