Question
My child is eight months old, and during the last check-up, they were crying and screaming. It was difficult to get the test done. Does a baby’s crying and screaming affect the epilepsy test results?
Answer
The most commonly used medications include traditional antiepileptic drugs such as carbamazepine, sodium valproate, and newer antiepileptic drugs like lamotrigine, topiramate, and oxcarbazepine. These antiepileptic drugs are safer and have fewer side effects compared to older drugs like phenytoin and phenobarbital, making them a more ideal choice for epilepsy patients. The treatment of epilepsy is generally recommended to start with monotherapy, beginning with a low dose. If a single drug is ineffective, consider adding or switching to another antiepileptic drug. If it is indeed determined that a particular medication is ineffective for the patient or has excessive side effects, a switch to another medication should be made gradually.