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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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Does Levipil Help Treat Epilepsy?

Hi, My Brother is suffering from epilepsy from 10 years onwards, from that time we consulted doctor , they told him to take Levipil 500g tablet. but now he is 20 years old, now he didn t face any issues he is normal only. But still doctor is advising him to take tablet daily 2 times , morning 250g and night 250g. When he can stop taking the tablets even though he s completely fine. We are not understanding why doctor is telling him to continue the tablet for some more months. Please advise...
Thu, 16 Jul 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello,
Welcome to health care magic. I am Dr Alok Sinha, MD Psychiatry from India. I can understand your concern. I will try my best to answer your query.
Levepil (Levetiracetam) is a good antiepileptic drug. As epilepsy is a serious and long lasting illness of brain its medicines should be continued for many years. These medicines have prophylactic effect and it prevents epilepsy from occurring again. Your brother's doctor understands the requirement of medicine hence he continued it. Apparently you are not convinced that your brother is currently well on maintenance medication. If an epileptic person stops medicines there are chances of relapse. If there is some structural defect or history of some epileptogenic focus in brain then the chances of recurrence is much more. Here no information is provided about MRI, EEG brain etc. So I can not say whether his brain is OK or not.

If a person has relapse of illness in past then it is unwise to discontinue medication, but if the person is stable and seizure free then doses may be gradually tapered (which your brother's doctor is doing that is reduction from 500 mg to 250 mg dose). When to stop medicines, it should be decided by treating physician. As such the doses are very mild and no serious side effects with this dose is observed.

I humbly suggest you to have faith in the treating doctor.
I hope it answers your question. I wish your brother all the best.
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Does Levipil Help Treat Epilepsy?

Hello, Welcome to health care magic. I am Dr Alok Sinha, MD Psychiatry from India. I can understand your concern. I will try my best to answer your query. Levepil (Levetiracetam) is a good antiepileptic drug. As epilepsy is a serious and long lasting illness of brain its medicines should be continued for many years. These medicines have prophylactic effect and it prevents epilepsy from occurring again. Your brother s doctor understands the requirement of medicine hence he continued it. Apparently you are not convinced that your brother is currently well on maintenance medication. If an epileptic person stops medicines there are chances of relapse. If there is some structural defect or history of some epileptogenic focus in brain then the chances of recurrence is much more. Here no information is provided about MRI, EEG brain etc. So I can not say whether his brain is OK or not. If a person has relapse of illness in past then it is unwise to discontinue medication, but if the person is stable and seizure free then doses may be gradually tapered (which your brother s doctor is doing that is reduction from 500 mg to 250 mg dose). When to stop medicines, it should be decided by treating physician. As such the doses are very mild and no serious side effects with this dose is observed. I humbly suggest you to have faith in the treating doctor. I hope it answers your question. I wish your brother all the best.