Medication for the treatment of epileptic seizures
There are a variety of antiepileptic drugs that are used depending on the cause of the seizure. Advice from a specialized neurologist is essential in this case. Advice on specific situations must also be given. For example, some of the medications must not be taken during pregnancy as they can harm the unborn child (for example: valproate and carbamazepine). Many of the drugs also place a heavy strain on the liver (for example, valproate), and alcohol consumption may have to be reduced accordingly.
What are the consequences of an epileptic seizure?
The consequences of a single epileptic seizure are usually not very serious. In addition to the social consequences (driving ban), acute injuries can occur. In addition to bruises and tongue bites, bone fractures can also occur, as well as concussions and the like due to the fall at the beginning of the seizure.
In addition, most people feel exhausted after a seizure. In addition, temporary symptoms such as depressive moods, speech disorders, paralysis and forgetfulness can occur. In the case of frequent seizures, the development of depression is more likely than in the healthy population.
Individual seizures do not cause brain damage. Whether damage can occur in the long term or whether life expectancy is reduced depends largely on the cause of the epilepsy. In some epileptic seizures there is a risk that the person will reach an epileptic status, which refers to a particularly long-lasting and severe epileptic seizure. The probability of serious consequences is increased because the brain is not supplied with oxygen for a long time.
How can I prevent an epileptic seizure?
For reasons of intrinsic safety and the safety of fellow human beings, persons are deprived of their driver’s license after a seizure in accordance with the legal requirements. A distinction is made between the normal car driver’s license (group 1) and the truck driver’s license and persons in passenger transport (group 2). In the case of a first seizure without evidence of epilepsy (occasional seizure), the driving license is revoked for six months (group 1) or two years (group 2) if the seizure is unprovoked, and for three (group 1) or six months (group 2) if the seizure is symptomatic or provoked.
The driving license is regained after this period, provided no further seizures occurred. In the case of epilepsy, the driving license can be regained after one year of seizure-free treatment (with or without therapy) (group 1). Group two in epilepsy can only get their driving license back if no seizures have occurred for five years without treatment, normally a change of profession is necessary.
In the case of persistent seizures, the driving license cannot be reissued. An exception to this rule are seizures that do not restrict the ability to drive, such as seizures that occur exclusively during sleep.
