What Causes Recurrence Of Seizures?

Posted on Sat, 14 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 14 Jun 2014 Answered on

Fri, 4 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : 40 year old male epilepsy since8. seizure free last 22 years on 1500mg depakote also take 20mg lexapro...last 2 months have had 6 grand mal seizures have not missed any pills no drugs no alcohol . mri and eeg ok. doc cant figure it out .says liver may metabolizing depakote faster.started 100mg topamax as add on.there has got to be an answerfor being seizure free that long and then 6 grand mals.could my brain finally have a resistence to depakote. NEED HELP.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Drug level in blood can be checked.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your medical details and it is unfortunate that you have had a recurrence of seizures after more than two decades of seizure-freedom.

It is possible that the drug is getting metabolized faster, or there are more frequent epileptiform discharges in the brain.

The drug level for sodium valproate can be checked at peak level (about 2-3 hours after taking the medication) and at trough level (just before the morning dose). this would help in understanding the metabolism of depakote in your body.

I hope my reply has helped you.

I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar