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Is Decreasing The Dosage Of Anti-epileptic Medication A Concern?
My husband is taking this medication for seizures. He had one in the beginning of Jan. He does not have epilepsy. His prescription cannot be renewed until Feb. 20 and he is taking two a day. The current prescription has only two pills left. Disage is 500 mg. What might be the problem if he cannot get more pills between now and Tues. morning? Should he take only half a pill at a time or only one today, tomorrow and Monday??
Wed, 12 Sep 2018
Hello,
However, if he has been given a particular antiepileptic medication to take according to a specific schedule (sounds like Keppra or Levetiracetam) and specific dose twice daily then. That is what he must take and it is a mistake for the insurance company or pharmacy to try and restrict it for any reason for this is not a controlled substance. Your husband should contact the prescribing doctor so that authorizes an override on the time for renewal.
Of course, your husband will need to explain why he is running out of pills ahead of time if he has been taking the pills exactly according to instructions. But he should not cut in half or otherwise, reduce the dosing or change the dosing schedule of the medication with the doctor's approval.
Take Care!
Regards,
Dr. Dariush Saghafi,
Neurologist
However, if he has been given a particular antiepileptic medication to take according to a specific schedule (sounds like Keppra or Levetiracetam) and specific dose twice daily then. That is what he must take and it is a mistake for the insurance company or pharmacy to try and restrict it for any reason for this is not a controlled substance. Your husband should contact the prescribing doctor so that authorizes an override on the time for renewal.
Of course, your husband will need to explain why he is running out of pills ahead of time if he has been taking the pills exactly according to instructions. But he should not cut in half or otherwise, reduce the dosing or change the dosing schedule of the medication with the doctor's approval.
Take Care!
Regards,
Dr. Dariush Saghafi,
Neurologist
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