Following the Treatment Plan

It is important to take antiepileptic medications regularly. In order for the medications to work, there must be a steady and effective amount of medicine in the blood stream and the brain. The proper blood level cannot be maintained unless medications are taken as prescribed, and the prescription must take into account the half-life of the medicine and the metabolism of the individual. Most people have a hard time remembering to take all of their medications at the proper time. The use of a pillbox and even an alarm watch is very helpful. Missed doses result in an inadequate level of medicine in the body and may permit seizures to occur.

Some people are so afraid of becoming dependent on their medicines that they don't take their pills. Still others hope that since they haven't had a seizure for a while they no longer need to take medicine. While some people can safely stop taking medicines after a few years, most people need to take it for their entire lifetime. Stopping medicines to see if you can get along without them should only be done under close medical supervision. Dependency on antiepileptic medicine is similar to having to take insulin for diabetes and should not be compared to the problems of addiction to illegal drugs.

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