Can I Stop my Antiseizure Medications? For Adults, When and How 

If you would like to make a consult with Dr Omar Danoun, age 16 years and older, please call or email the International Patient Services at Henry Ford Hospital and get your appointment if you are outside the USA: Office Hours: Eastern time 8:00 am -5:30 pm Mon-Friday, excluding holidays Phone: +1-313-916-8443 Email: InternationalPatientServices@hfhs.org In USA call the clinic www.henryford.com/physician-directory/d/danoun-omar

I've thought about stopping the medications for years. As a matter of fact, I've been seizure-free for 25yrs...since 1999. I've asked about stopping & have actually reduced the dosage. In my mind I've enjoyed not having seizures to the point that meds don't matter. Now, reducing the meds and/or only being on one was an option via my neurologist. The problem for me with that was it was suggested the I wouldn't drive during the medication reductions.

I have watched many of these videos and found them informative. I have suffered from epilepsy since the age of around 13 years of age. However, it was initially diagnosed as migraines. Through an EEG and having a seizure while this procedure was being done, 39 years later, the diagnosis was changed from migraines with visual disturbances to epilepsy. The medication I'm on has controlled it very well, but over this last year, 2024, I have had several absent seizures. I will now consult my doctor for further investigations.

I went 12 years without any seizure activity. But as soon as my anxiety and high stress levels occured often, I started having seizures. In fact every seizure that I've had was triggered by high levels of stress and anxiety. During those 12 years my stress/anxiety levels were low.

This is good information. I had brain surgeries and was in the hospital for months. Neurologists said I wouldn't "walk or work again". Was on anti seizure drugs with awful side effects. I was able to read up on my condition and weaned myself off the drugs. I pushed myself and slowly got better, employed, and out in life. Decades now without any seizures. And, that, is the short story. Thank you for this, I wish you had been around 40 years ago.

Had one seizure in 27nov,ct scan fine,on meds still but they are affecting my life i.e. drowsy,headaches,No seizure since,i am prepared to quit my meds.

Thank thank you Dr.Danoun, I'm so grateful that I finally found a excellent doctor that helps me out and understand how to help my daughter with her seizures and medication, you are and angel on heart.🙏🏻

Thank you for you video. I was diagnosed with Focal Impaired Awareness (Complex Partial) seizures in 2020. I have had multiple seizures each month increasing in number and intensity. Today I am 40 days seizure free. I have never been medicine dependent before I had seizures and wondered if I could ever stop. Thanks to this video I now understand how necessary my medicines (Keppra and Vimpat) are for me. Maybe I will be on them for a few more years, but I know they are working. From your video, I learned to be patient and trust my neurologist. Thank you for teaching through your videos.

I've been on dilantin for 45 years after one seizure at 15, many years without seizure, and then only in sleep.

Hi, appreciate your video. I started having seizures 29 years ago (at 25), I had a number of seizures then so it was decided I have an EPG, the Scan results of which were a suspected scare on the brain (they couldn't find it) I started on medication and still had seizures until the correct doses was established, I was then seizure free for a number of years and then suddenly I started having them again (whilst on the medication), the doctors then slowly switched me from one antiseizure drug to another (I had a few seizures during this period as the first is decreased as the new is slowly increased) eventually the correct dose was established on the new drugs - which is considered the absolute maximum dose they would allow me to take : 600mg Lamotrigine a day and 3500mg Levetiracetam a day - these doses are actually split in half with a morning dose and an evening dose but those are the totals. I (like I think most) do not want to take medication atall but I came to the conclusion I would never be sure I would never have another seizure again if I do not take them so I take them without fail everyday - for those who have just started I live what I consider to be a regular life with a job and I drive and nobody would know I have epilepsy unless I told them or I had a seizure infront of them - my concern though is as I get older I will start to forget taking the medication and thus start having seizures again - I live alone with no family local - My question then there is, is there new technology that will be able to find a scare and in someway help? I stopped attending hospital appointments years ago as I was always just told to keep taking the medication as I was seizure free (so it became a waste of time) - is there any point in speaking to my doctor now if nothing can be done - I have general epilepsy (Not Focal). Appreciate a reply. Thank you

I have risked by stopping by stopping my anti-seizure medication that started in 2020 I was in a coma and in my late 20s then this year in March 23 I’ve had 2 little ones ever since

If a patient has an EEG done, then the patient needs to get ALL of their micronutrient levels tested the same day as the EEG. The reason is due to the impact of electrolyte levels on electrical activity in the brain can lead to seizures. In fact balance of all of your electrolyte levels on a daily basis has a huge impact on seizure activity. Even better if you stop taking synthetic chemicals in the form of municipal water/bottled water, processed foods, all manufactured products. BTW anticonvulsants cause memory loss faster than epileptic seizures do.

well since u asked i was off my medication (lemotrigen 200) for 6 months first 3 months went smooth but the last 3 had multiple seizures and now i is back on the medication and now i will be doing the ketogenic diet with the medication in that time i had like 8 seizures since off it

Very nice video Dada 👍🏻

Excellent! I have Epilepsy and Cerebellar Atrophy/not symptoms. What should l do now to prevent future symptoms with the Cerebellar Atrophy? Thanks!

I feel as if my Nero is overdosing me with my medication. I have consolted him about it, but he says I need them. The Briviact he put me on makes me feel crazy! I told him I feel like killing myself while on them. He told me to go see a therapist. I currently don't take my Briviact, but still take the Gabapentin and Lacosamide. And what a surprise I feel ok and don't have seizures, as long as I take those medications, don't over do my coffee or any alcohol.

what do you think about VNS installation, does it help and how much %

IS it possible to have absences and tonic seizures? my son 8 years old have multiple absences and tonic seizures since one year. He is taking medication VPA, Rufunamide, Clobazam thank you.

What are the withdrawal symptoms we may have to bear for some days ?

Hi doc i want to ask you something, could a hit at the front of the head ( area of prefrontal cortex) be a cause of seizure? Please let me know.

How long does it take for Keppra to work? My 16 years old daughter had her first seizure on 11/18 and then had 4 in one week between 12/9-12/15. Finally she was diagnosed with epilepsy and start medication 3 weeks ago. She’s been seizure free until yesterday. It breaks my heart and I’m hoping Keppra can prevent it soon

How do you exactly what patient want sir ? Example : All tell go discuss with your doctor but I don't do that

My little dog has been on anti seizure medication for 2 years, she is 5.6 kg and her seizures started when she was 5 years 6mths. When she started her seizures in 2021 she had 5 in the first month and was put on Epiphen. She started on 2 mg twice a day and initially her seizures went up to 19 in the first month, the following month she had 16 seizures and the vet suggested we increase the dose to 2.5 mg twice a day. The next month she had 9 seizures so again the dosage was increased as per instructed by the vet to 3 mg twice a day. The next month she suffered only 2 seizures, and the following month it climbed back up slightly to 4 seizures. The following month she suffers no seizures but then the following month she had 3 seizures. Then the following month she suffered no seizures, but the following month she had 2 seizures, then the next month 2 seizures, then the following month 3 seizures, then 2 seizures, then 2 seizures, then 4 seizures, then 2 seizures, then 3 seizures, then 1 seizure, then 2 seizures and the vet said increase dose to 4mg but the seizures continued to 3 the next month then 2 the following month, then 6 the next month, then 12 the following month, then 6 the next month, the next month was 12, then the next was 6 seizures but the following month it jumped up to 9 and by the 14th of the following month she had 16 but some of them were clusters. I had been doing research of my own at this point because the vet had said she was now on the maximum dose. After researching I read about L.Taurine and so without telling the vet but checking it was safe for dogs I put her on 500 Mg of L. Taurine per day. And this seemed to stop the seizures completely so I was actually hoping to reduce the Epiphen by 1mg at every dose and continued this trend for the next 3 weeks reducing every week by 1 mg until by the 5 th week she was completely off the Epiphen with no seizures and I was absolutely amazed. However this was very short lived and the following day after completely coming off the Epiphen she started having clusters and in the following 8 days she suffered a total of 22 seizures. I had in the first instance started her back on the Epiphen 1 mg twice a day increasing it weekly by another 1 mg until she was back on the same dose of 4mg twice a day with the L Taurine. It's been an absolute struggle trying to balance the seizures but I'm happy to say she's gone through this month with only 2 up until the 26 April. I have through my research made friends online with a pharmacist who has his own laboratories and asked his advice. He explained to me sadly that unfortunately although Epiphen is an anti seizure medication one of the side effects is to cause seizures. I'm at my wits end because it now makes sense as to why we have never been able to get the seizures fully under control but the longest she has ever gone with out seizures is the 5 weeks when we introduced L.Taurine. I remember when we first had the diagnosis from our vet that she needed anti seizure medication they did a full physical check and reported she also had a heart murmur and they wanted to do a ultrasound at a further cost of £260 and then put her on heart medication in top of the seizures medication. I refused this because until we got her seizure free I didn't want to introduce more big pharma medication because the side effects of the Epiphen were already showing. We have another similar size dog with no underlying health issues who we do the same walks with and eats identical foods such as fresh chicken with rice, fresh beef with rice or pasta and fresh salmon not tinned with wholemeal biscuits or black rice. My dog on the Epiphen weighs 600 grams more and has a very swollen abdominal area in comparison to the other dog. I have since questioned my vet with regard to the prescribed Epiphen medication because it states on the leaflet that comes with the Epiphen that under no circumstances should an animal with cardio vascular issues or renal issues be prescribed said medication. It hurt me that our vets like our doctors will deliberately prescribe medications that will cause other health issues and it's seems deliberate to me because they are supposed to be the experts yet it seems it's all done to gain extra revenue by prescribing one medication to get her on other medication all in the name of more vet visits and more tests and more revenue. I am a person that takes my own health seriously enough to get myself off all my medications and using alternative remedies with no side effects and I have kept a record of my own progress in the same way I have kept a journal on my dogs seizures since day one. Hence I have the data. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Is the side effects of Epiphen as my pharmacist friend said causes seizures. Both dogs Also get krill oil, CoQ10 and vitamin D3 + K2(Mk7) as I feel after researching these natural supplements have no side effects but come with many benefits. They have both been on these supplements for 4 months now in very low doses as they are now middle aged at 7 years old. I myself am 65. Thanks for reading my comment.

I’m not sure 🤔, but I’ll be starting the trial of another anti seizure drug at Monash University in Melbourne next month and it’s called Selenium but I’ve found out that there’s another natural mineral called Selenium and I’m wondering if the anti epileptic drug is similar in any way or it’s just got the same name (I’ve had refractory epilepsy now since December 1979 and currently on Valproate, Carbamazepine & Clonazepam but nothing is working still.

I started having seizures when I was seven years old now that I’m 36 I still continue

I was a medical student but due to frequent epileptic attacks, could not complete studies

What if i need to switch between branded meds to generic meds, paticularly Trileptal to generic medicine?

Thank you for your information Dr. Omar! I’m 31 and had seizure in 2019, and now in May, 2023. I had to much stress and anxiety since February, and stopped my medicine Tegretol and Cinaz, last year, but now I’m using again. My question is this: Is stress causing me seizures? Thank you very much!

Would you be able to do a video on Transient epileptic amnesia? There is so little information available.

Hi Dr ...i am currently taking Trileptal 1000 mg and Keppra 3000 mg daily...divided in 2 doses(morning and evening)

Which is best medicine for complex partical seizure

I was out of seizures after my brain surgery, clobazam is tapered off first, phenytoin tapered off and there was a seizure.Have been on the last dose since then 3 years ago without any point to mention.I don't know what will be my neurologists instruction as I meet them next week.

Thanks for the immense work you are putting in your videos. I have a friend who started having seizures at the age of 31. She was previously diagnosed with cluster headaches, sinus and migraine and was prescribed Topmax (that time she did not have any seizures) but as she stopped the med (it was making her dizzy and forgetting things) after 1 month the first seizure happened during sleep. She had an injury that she fell on a chair after fainting but her CT scan and MRI were normal. Recently she had multiple seizures (all during sleep and each time twice within one hour in the early morning). We are not sure is this Epileptic or not but she has started taking anti seizure medicines (Neurocet 250 one in the morning and 1 at night before going to sleep).. can you please let me know what's your take on this situation

Mine are only triggered when I relapse on street benzos and stop cold turkey but doc says I still have epilepsy even though if I never use benzos/ don’t cold turkey them I never get seizures

I developed a epilepsy when i was 30years that was in 2021 i was taken to the hospital all test were done but they couldnt find the cause of these epilepsy or seizures they kept coming when i go to the hospital they will just tell me that maybe am stressed and tired and i was given phenobarbital which i have been taking from last year. This September i had a trip to go to china i thot that will be a go time to even stop the medication boy was i wrong day 10 of my trip to china which was on 14 sept,2023 the seizures came back and they where so severe i was taken to the hospital they couldnt find anything again some thing i was told that maybe am just tired and stressed i had to come home quickly and start the meds yesterday which was on Wednesday 20th September 2023 i had another epilepsy seizures attack i dont know what to do now am even scared to go to the office. 😢

In simple terms, the electroencephalogram (EEG) results show that the brain activity is generally normal when the person is at rest with their eyes open. There is some interference from the heart's electrical activity. There are occasional bursts of brain activity on both sides of the brain but without any specific pattern or asymmetry. The brain activity increases when the person hyperventilates, and there is a modest response to flashing lights. Overall, the EEG suggests that there may be a slight abnormality in brain activity, possibly related to a seizure disorder. However, further evaluation is needed to confirm this. I did this EEG when i was 28 yrs 10 yrs after I started having seizures i dont drink or smoke I'm on multiple seizure medications and still having 3-4 seizure every month. 😢😢

Is it necessary to get a EEG at some point after taking seizure medication for years

My son was 19 when we witnessed first seizure. Tonic clonic with arm shaking before. He was put on Keppra and then EEG was done. Outcome spikes and waves that were associated with epileptic form generalized epilepsy. My question is: with the above EEG reading is it possible to have. Normal EEG and stop medication?

I have not done any EEG or MRI scans since i got my first seizure in 1997 but only changed medication, phenobartones and others and seizures wessoned sometime, but since started using carbamazepine it comes like sometimes, what should i do.

I stopped taking Depakote It was terrible medicine. I had a seizure last year. I am in my 70’s. Last year I had three seizures and I was hospitalized. No body shaking but I have no memory of it.

Hello I take Keppra valproare 7.5ml for me seizures. Does Keppra cause me to be violent? I was told that I get violent at times when I have a seizure.

Apart from the risk of stopping the medicine how about a test to confirm the disappearance of seizure in the brain

🗣️my doctor 🏥 told me to continue to take my epilepsy medicine 💊 after my brain 🧠 tumor surgery 😔 so I guess I will have to take my medicine forever than cause my doctor told me to take 400mg at night 🛌🏿I have grand mal sezuire 😔

Greetings from Lebanon Dr. How is it possible to connect with you to discuss my matter. Please give me the options to get in contact with you. Thanks a lot.

My Developmentaly Delayed/HFAutistic (w/co-morbids) female child had a diagnosis of Juvenile-Myoclonic at 14yrs. old. I found two family members with infantile seizures and I've had severe migrains myself. Currently, she's 24 now and newly diagnosed w/Epilepsy (not controlled) no insurance and looking to get help. Taking Citalopram for stress/anxiety control through Gen. Doctor/clinic and was offered Lemictil for seizure control and can't afford to continue meds. is it bad to suddenly stop? Not much help for young people in Texas to control seizure disorders. No job, no insurance, not on disability, and only surviving. I'm not much help either. She lives w/me and I pay for everything, so I can't afford her meds. either. Any thoughts?

Never had seizure in my life. Last year 3 of them. 1,250mgs a day terrible side affects. I have no further seizures but I will never drive again. I shredded my drivers License.

I started having my seizures when I was 17 years old. I had my first seizure when my menstrual period started. Can my menstrual period be a reason my seizures started?

Good day sir...wat exactly time can take the anti seizure medication everyday?

Thank you Dr. For doing this great job may God bless you with everything

I want to stop my antiepilectic med because i have started facing hyperglycemia. I have been on med Phenytoin for more than 5 years and now i didn't have seizure for more than 2 years

Yes I Will Take The Best of Responsibility for A Very Worthy Cause David Glavin

I started Lamotrigine for probable transient epileptic amnesia. Normal EEG and MRI. I'm 73. Is it likely I will be taking the medication for life?

By the way, your link to the seizure recurrence estimator is broken. The page is broken.

I use to Epilepsy when I was younger but I outgrow but now I’m having Seizures again they have started again and now I’m have Absence Seizure and penny mal Seizures

My daughter having seizure per a month 3 times she is taking torleva 500 Lomitar100 MG oxitol 600

When I was 17 years old I was exprinced my 1 st seizure but My EEG, MRI, Video EEG all are noramal. But last 8 years I take anti Epileptic Drug. During this years I was done 4 EEG test and all are Normal. My Doctor Decrease my Doses but not stopped it Completely. Can I stop my Antiepileptic Drug now?

Wich are the best madicatione for epilepsy?

Good morning Dr my Son's h seizure since child till now he is now 22 years now his hand will start shaking and his head. Am chatting from Nigeria. Thank you very much

How many seizures should one have before starting seizure medication?

Hello Doctor, i am from Nepal, i had partial focal seizure on left side from age of 12. I didn't knew anything about it at that time and also my family don't about it too. So we consulted with some eye realeted doctor, at my age of 16, we consulted with a neurosurgeon and he states it is a seizure, i had it 1 or 2 times in a month before medicine starts. After medicine started seizure stops and in 2 years i had only 2 times fully seizure under medicine period but the aura which came before seizure i got it 4 to 5 times on two year, but it only came while i am too weak. It is 3 year fron where i started medicine but the EEG report every time conclude i have intermittent generalized epilepsy. But also aura didn't occured from last a year, i am taking Eptoin 300mg and epizam 5mg. Do i have to stop medicine or continue. If i had to continue then how much time it has to be continued. Please help me

Good Evening Doctor.. I am Aayush From India.. my wife is having epilepsy, she is taking the anti epileptic medicine names “ Levera 500” by Intas Pharma 500mg Levetiracetam drug , one tablet in evening after dinner , I have a question to be asked… Is there any side effects of these medicine at later stage of Age , any side effects in body , she was diagnosed with GTC Seizure epilepsy in her childhood and still on the medication taken daily. She is now of 26 yrs old please reply back for her better care to be taken by me

Is that book available in Egypt ?

Ask me any questions you may have about epilepsy and seizures

I had no seizure for 5 years while on medication. I stopped taking medication one year ago and havent any seizures since then. Is this a bad decision?

I've been taking Lamictal and Zonisamide for a long time, but after my VNS surgery 3 months ago and carefully documenting my seizure activity last year, I don't think Zonisamide is having a positive effect on me and it seems that my seizures are all due to my own activities(drinking coffee or alcohol). For this reason, I want to at the very least reduce my zonisamide from 300mg.

Sir I'm epilepsy passion

thank God, I finally found an angel of a doctor like you who can tell me what to do or how to deal with my brother has epilepsy, I don't know exactly what it is, from the age of 14, 15, now he is 22, his disease is advanced and became uncontrollable. a few days ago he started having multiple seizures within an hour, which he has never done in his life, I called the ambulance and they did nothing, the same medicines we use (kepra and depica) gave him. the doctor just tells us to increase the dose, we don't know what else to do, we are desperate, what do you suggest? An haz olso spams

people that because they are not seizing they do not need their meds. Maybe, Maybe the meds are working.

Went over 20 years without having a seizure. Then all of sudden they came back!! Not sure why

Hi,can I have some talk with u please

You mention physical issues such as scarring can mean its highly likely seizures are permanent. How about gray matter Heterotopia with adulthood onset?

Why I have seizures everytime I fall asleep

While taking medicine I usually have a seizure once a month..

i had my first seizure(fit) when i was 11 year old and since then i did not have any fits. but many times i have suffered from focal disturbances and drowsiness as well as irregular heart rhythms. i stopped taking medications 7 years back but after few calcified granuloma was found in my brain started taking brevipil again. focal disturbances and irregular heart rhythms still occur to me thankfully no fits till now. lets see what God has in store for me.

Why would anyone go into surgery to stop seizures for the risk of it being worse afterward? I sure wouldn't take that risk. As much as I would give to stop the drugs, I wouldn't go into surgery in case I came out worse off.

Well I'm guna be taking me epilepsy medication all my life with this 7cm Avm in my frontal lobe part of my brain 🧠 lol

My son had a TBI in car accident...had 1 seizure on the way to the hospital..they put him on keppra & the side effects (aggression) are terrible...he smokes marijuana...his balance & short term memory is a little off... he's 19...can he stop taking it (keppra) w\o fear of having a seizure?