Can Long-Term Use of Controlled Release Tablets Be Safe for Epilepsy? - Psychiatry

Dr. Zhan Jiaxiang reply Psychiatry

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Hello:
1.
The use of this medication should be assessed by a physician based on individual patient conditions to determine if long-term use is appropriate or necessary.
For patients with renal impairment, dosage adjustments are required.
In patients with severe hepatic impairment, renal function should be evaluated before determining the dosage.
2.
Alcohol consumption can lead to accelerated liver damage, resulting in conditions such as hepatitis, fatty liver, and cirrhosis.
It can also cause gastrointestinal injury, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, various cancers, renal injury, pancreatitis, accidental injuries, depression, anxiety, seizures, hallucinations, delusions, and delirium, among many other conditions.
Concurrent use of the extended-release tablet with alcohol may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, impaired thinking and judgment, coordination difficulties, or lack of concentration, potentially leading to further liver damage.
3.
This medication is prescription-only; it is recommended that a physician evaluate the patient's condition and prescribe an appropriate dosage before obtaining the medication from a pharmacy to ensure safe use.
4.
Alcohol may cause neurological and muscular disorders, leading to cramps, and withdrawal may result in seizures.
However, cramps and seizures may have other or multiple causes, and patients should seek medical evaluation and relevant diagnostic tests to determine the underlying causes and appropriate management.
Further information: The main ingredient of the extended-release tablet is levetiracetam, which has a reparative and protective effect on brain neurons and is less likely to impair cognitive functions (such as learning, memory, and thinking).
It is suitable for use in children and elderly patients with epilepsy.
Currently, the indications for this medication include the treatment of partial seizures in patients aged 16 and older (with or without secondary generalized seizures) as monotherapy, partial seizures in children aged 4 and older or adults (with or without secondary generalized seizures), myoclonic seizures in adolescents aged 12 and older and adults, and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adolescents aged 16 and older and adults with generalized epilepsy.
Possible side effects include poor appetite, vomiting, infections, weakness, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, anxiety, cough, pharyngitis, rhinitis, or pain.
Medication precautions: It can be taken with or without food; please follow the prescribed dosage.
Until the effects of the medication (such as dizziness) are known, do not engage in activities requiring concentration or coordination (such as driving or operating hazardous machinery).
If you experience mood swings, aggression, agitation, or other unusual thoughts or behaviors, please inform your physician.
Do not abruptly discontinue the medication to avoid exacerbating seizures.
For patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, dosage adjustments are not necessary.
However, for patients with severe hepatic impairment, creatinine clearance should be monitored, and alcohol consumption should be avoided during treatment, along with being cautious of potential drug interactions with other medications.

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Reply Date: 2017/07/18