Hello,

I would explain that it is OK to take both these drugs when seizures persist. This is because one drug is not effective in the control of seizures.

Anyway, if levipil improves her situation, you may try to stop valparin and increase the doses of levipil as needed, and continue as monotherapy.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist

Hi,

I believe your daughter would benefit from seeing a pediatric Neurologist or better yet a pediatric epileptologist who is a specialist for children who suffer from epileptic seizures. In the first place, it should be determined if what the child is experiencing are actually electric seizures. You've not said anything as to testing or how the diagnosis of seizures was confirmed.

Secondly, what type of seizures does she have? Generalized Tonic/Myoclonic (Grand Mal), Absence seizures (Petit Mal, staring spells), a combination of these, or something different. The seizure type is vital to know since treatments (medications) are tailored specifically to the type of seizure. It cannot be said whether a person is being "properly" treated with medication if we do not know in the first place that the medication is the right one based on the type of seizure.

The next thing is to ascertain is whether or not the dose that is being given is sufficient for the baby and this is done with bloodwork which should strive to look at both peak and well as trough levels. In other words, how high does the concentration get in her bloodstream once it is given and how low is the concentration just before the next dose.

These 2 pieces of information can tell you if she is on an adequate dose of the Valparin. You should not have to add a 2nd agent to a regimen unless you can show that even while being on an adequate dose or being "Max'ed" out on an agent there is still lack of good control. Also, you must be sure she is not taking anything else such as antibiotics or other medications commonly given to children for many reasons (antihistamines, OTC analgesics, etc) that could possibly interfere with the blood levels of these drugs.

There are no significant interactions between the drugs you mention of Valparin (Valproic Acid) and Levipil (Levetiracetam), however, I would definitely recommend having your daughter thoroughly evaluated for the information I've provided before making any more moves with her medications.

Of course, you may not have the types of specialists I mentioned to conduct this type of investigative work. If that's the case are you anywhere in the vicinity of a Medical Academic Center? This means a teaching hospital, a medical school, etc. If so then, call them and ask if have these specialists available to see you in their offices or clinics for evaluation.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Dariush Saghafi, Neurologist