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Child Getting Fits. On Tegrital And Body Skin Has Come Off. Concerned About The Side Effects?
my daughter gets her fits while she is asleep (her EEG reports suggest Benign epilipsy) she had her first seizure when at the age of 4yrs. she was on a few days medication on tegrital which badly affected her. her full body skin had come off. as if she was scaling. the doc suggested to stop the medicine and stay off medicines as considering the fit could be of a one time thing. then she unfortunately got another attack when she was 5 1/2 years. twice on the same day - afternoon and again in the night. she has been on Levipil 200 for the past 2 1/2 years (1.5ml twice daily). she was advised to stop medication again. on the 10th Oct '13 was her last dose and she again got a seizure on the 27th Oct. i.e. within 17 days of no medication. now the doc has suggested we can restart levipil (2ml twice daily) or if we wish we can wait and see. just incase she may not get another one. i am totally confused. as i concerned of the side effects of the medicine but at the same time we are sure that she does not get seizures while on medication. pls help and guide
Thu, 14 Nov 2013
Hello,
Your daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy which was well controlled with levipil. Before I can help you I would like to know few more details about her illness -
1) Was a repeat EEG done before stopping the drug? If the repeat EEG was also showing abnormality, then the medicine should have been continued. If that is the case please restart the medicine.
2) Was the drug gradually tapered or stopped abruptly?
3) How long did this episode of seizure last? Did it start simultaneously in all the 4 limbs or was one side or one limb affected?
4) How is your daughter developmentally? Does she go to school?
5) Is there a family history of seizures?
As for the side effects of levipil - it is well tolerated in children. Minor side effects like anorexia and excessive sleepiness may be seen. There are other side effects also described but they are very rare. I understand that your previous experience with tegrital was very bad but levipil is a much safer drug. I agree that no anti epileptic drug is without side effects but you have to weigh the pros and the cons. The effects of having repeated seizures are much worse than the few side effects of levipil.
I will be able to guide you better if you answer my queries.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Preeti
Your daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy which was well controlled with levipil. Before I can help you I would like to know few more details about her illness -
1) Was a repeat EEG done before stopping the drug? If the repeat EEG was also showing abnormality, then the medicine should have been continued. If that is the case please restart the medicine.
2) Was the drug gradually tapered or stopped abruptly?
3) How long did this episode of seizure last? Did it start simultaneously in all the 4 limbs or was one side or one limb affected?
4) How is your daughter developmentally? Does she go to school?
5) Is there a family history of seizures?
As for the side effects of levipil - it is well tolerated in children. Minor side effects like anorexia and excessive sleepiness may be seen. There are other side effects also described but they are very rare. I understand that your previous experience with tegrital was very bad but levipil is a much safer drug. I agree that no anti epileptic drug is without side effects but you have to weigh the pros and the cons. The effects of having repeated seizures are much worse than the few side effects of levipil.
I will be able to guide you better if you answer my queries.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Preeti
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Hi,Namaste and thanks for your interest in HCM.I am very much concerned for your daughter'health.It seems she developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome for the anticonvulsant drug,Carbamazepine and hence it was stopped.Again Levipil was started and continued for 2 1/2 years,then stopped as per the advice.Then,after stopping the drug she got a seizure with in 17 days.As the diagnosis is Benign Epilepsy ,and she is getting seizure attack whenever she is stopping the anticonvulsant i may suggest you to continue Levipil as per the weight of the baby as it is relatively safe and before stopping the drug take EEG and consult a Neuro-Physician and the EEG should be normal and no seizure attacks in the last 2-3 years,then as per the advice of the Super-specialist,the drug may be stopped.
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