
What Causes Memory Loss, Drowsiness And Low Appetite?

Most anti-epileptic drugs have such side effects
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting on HealthCareMagic. I have gone carefully through the details provided by you. You have not mentioned the nature and onset of seizures he had been having and the basis of diagnosis based on which the medicines had been started. Assuming that the treating doctor has given the medicines in right consideration, they have to be continued for a pretty long time and medicines can be tapered off only after several seizure free years.
The complications that you are mentioning are indeed the side-effects of these anticonvulsants. Most of the anti-epileptic drugs have side-effects and a balance needs to be sought. Without knowing the details of the case, it is hard to comment on whether the medicines can be replaced with some other alternative. You would have to talk to your treating doctor about this. Remaining under his monitoring is also very important. You should not stop medication suddenly. Yes , we should taper medication gradually after clinical examination by your treating doctor. Doctor would decrease the dosage the medication if required and observe for 15-30 days for withdrawal symptoms. If he will not develop any symptoms and doctor would taper the medication gradually and stops it. But all this should be done by your treating doctor.
Thank you.


epilepsy free 1-2 yrs in children is reqd
Detailed Answer:
The antiepileptic drugs can be considered for discontinuation after 1-2 years in children and 2-5 years in adults. You may like to read more at:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC0000/
http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/29/1/18/21
http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/27/5/114/7/
The fact that he is slow in things that perhaps do not attract him but he is ok with others, is nothing unusual for adolescents. Still, visiting a psychologist might help as he might be able to give him some simple tips to help him cope better with the situation. So stay relaxed and visit a psychologist not with an impression that he has some mental problem but with a view that he needs assistance.

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