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Neurocysticercosis, Taking Valporic Acid, Normal EEG. Should I Stop Medicine?
Sir my name is manu kashyap. I was diagnoised with neurocysticercosis in jan.2010 after getting seizure in one side. After that I took albendazole and Valporic acid after cosulting doctor. Valporic acid dose was 500 mg twice. I am 34 years old. Recent CT scan showed healed neurocysticercosis. But I am still continuing with Valporic acid. Right now I am taking 800mg. My doctor says now you reduce it to 300 mg twic than 200mg twice and finally stop it. I have got EEG done recently it is normal. I am not getting confident to stop medicine I fear I might get seizure again. Pls. suggest me what to do. I am very much worried. Because some time I get strange sensation on right hand and my index finger always feel stifness. Pls. suggest me can I reduce and slowly stop medicine
Thu, 18 Oct 2012
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a fully treatable condition and the infection gets healed with albendazole. In your case, brain scan has been done, which has confirmed that the brain infection has healed.
NCC is not like epilepsy. In epilepsy, one has to continue medicines for long time, sometimes even lifelong. But in NCC, once the infection has completely healed, one can stop the anti-epileptic medications.
So, I would recommend that you follow your doctor's advice and gradually taper and stop valproic acid.
In very rare cases, fits may occur later, when we can always re-start valproic acid.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior consultant neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
Thank you for posting your query.
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a fully treatable condition and the infection gets healed with albendazole. In your case, brain scan has been done, which has confirmed that the brain infection has healed.
NCC is not like epilepsy. In epilepsy, one has to continue medicines for long time, sometimes even lifelong. But in NCC, once the infection has completely healed, one can stop the anti-epileptic medications.
So, I would recommend that you follow your doctor's advice and gradually taper and stop valproic acid.
In very rare cases, fits may occur later, when we can always re-start valproic acid.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior consultant neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
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