Question
During the period when a child is taking antiepileptic drugs, if there are frequent seizures and irritability, and the symptoms seem to worsen after taking the medication on time, is this situation normal? Do children taking antiepileptic drugs face adverse effects?
Answer
For the treatment of epilepsy in children, it is important to avoid triggers of seizures while monitoring the blood concentration of antiepileptic drugs. Parents should record the child’s seizure episodes, medication use, and triggers, and provide this information to the doctor during follow-up visits so that the doctor can adjust the dosage based on the blood concentration. It is crucial to adhere to regular medication and not arbitrarily increase or decrease the dosage or discontinue the medication. If a certain drug does not work well even when used properly, consider switching to another drug or adjusting the dosage. Some antiepileptic drugs may affect cognitive function, so choose an antiepileptic drug with fewer side effects based on specific circumstances.