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Suffering From Seizures. Taking Eptoin, Epilan Tablets, Memory Loss. Should We Stop Eptoin?
My husband has been taking Eptoin 50 mg 1 tab and epilan 100 mg 3 tablet daily , for the past 5 years. The family doctor suggested that we should change Eptoin as this causes memory loss if used for more than few years, though the neuro does not what to change it because it has controlled his seizures . Kindly suggest what to do ? Also the side effect of Eptoin . Thanks
Thu, 25 Oct 2012
Hi,
Eptoin (phenytoin) is an old anti-epileptic drug and is still very widely used.
Epilan is a combination of phenytoin and phenobarbitone, and is also an old combination.
Among the two drugs that your husband is taking, epilan is more likely to cause memory problems (because of the side effect of phenobarbitone).
Your husband needs evaluation to find out the severity of memory problem and the reasons for it. If it is due to epilan, it may need to be stopped.
There are other newer antiepileptic drugs, which are more safe and do not cause memory problems.
Please discuss these issues with your neurologist.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurologist)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
Eptoin (phenytoin) is an old anti-epileptic drug and is still very widely used.
Epilan is a combination of phenytoin and phenobarbitone, and is also an old combination.
Among the two drugs that your husband is taking, epilan is more likely to cause memory problems (because of the side effect of phenobarbitone).
Your husband needs evaluation to find out the severity of memory problem and the reasons for it. If it is due to epilan, it may need to be stopped.
There are other newer antiepileptic drugs, which are more safe and do not cause memory problems.
Please discuss these issues with your neurologist.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurologist)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
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