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The first step in the treatment of epilepsy is to determine the diagnosis correctly and to decide whether medication is needed. Approximately one in 20 people may have a life-time seizure and may not relapse after a single seizure. For this reason, it is often preferred not to start the drug after the first seizure.
Once the correct diagnosis is made and it is decided that treatment is needed, it is decided which drug treatment to start. Usually a single drug is started at a low dose and the dose is gradually increased. During this time, follow-up of the doctor continues, and if necessary, blood samples can be checked by taking a blood sample.
The cooperation of the patient is very important in order to comply with regular and long-term treatment. Keep in close contact with your doctor until you have a successful treatment. Drugs should be taken properly. It should be kept in mind that irregular removal or discontinuation of medicines will impair seizure control.
Are there any side effects of antiepileptic drugs? Each drug will have side effects as well as benefits. Some side effects disappear as the body gets used to it. The most common side effect is drowsiness, dizziness and imbalance. If these side effects are expected to be lost within the first few weeks, please contact your doctor. Sometimes only dose reduction is sufficient, while in some cases other drug options can be tried.
Is there any treatment for epilepsy other than medication? In four of the five epileptic patients, seizures can be maintained while the seizures can be controlled with appropriate drug use. This is called drug-resistant epilepsy. First, the first drug is replaced or a second drug is added. Epilepsy surgery can be performed in some patients with selected resistant epilepsy. It would be appropriate to evaluate such patients in epilepsy centers by specialists specialized in epilepsy.
