Due to birth effects linked to strong anti-epilepsy drugs, strict new prescription rules pertaining to the pills are being introduced.
Anti-Epilepsy Drug New Prescriptions
Patients under 55 years of age will no longer be allowed to start taking sodium valproate medications unless two doctors give their go-ahead for the treatment.
Because of its risk of leading to learning difficulties and serious deformities when pregnant women take it, the medication has been dubbed the new thalidomide. This is in reference to a morning sickness treatment from the 1960s that led to birth defects that are life-threatening.
The rules for restriction will also be applicable to women who are already taking the drug. They will need to join yearly reviews in order to be reminded of the risks. They must also sign a form to signify agreement to continue.
The medication prevents epileptic patients from experiencing seizures. It does so by decreasing the brain's electrical activity, which is believed to be responsible for the seizures. The treatment is also used to calm manic episodes among individuals with bipolar disorder.
According to studies, babies who were born to valproate-taking women had an 11% risk of birth defects, such as small toes and fingers, cleft palates, and spina bifida. Moreover, the chances of having learning difficulties, such as walking or speed developmental delays, are 40%.
Consultant neurologist Ley Sander from the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery explains that the new rules could be harder for those who can only take the drug for their condition. For some people with generalized epilepsy, this is the only treatment that is effective.
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Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain condition that leads to repetitive seizures. For some people, the cause can be pointed out. However, among others, the cause remains unknown.
The condition is quite common, with estimations indicating that 1.2% of individuals across the US have active epilepsy. It affects individuals with different races, genders, ages, and ethnic backgrounds.
The symptoms of seizures may vary. Some may not be aware of the seizure when it takes place, while others may be aware. There are also others that blankly stare for a few seconds, while others may keep on twitching their arms and legs in movements called convulsions.
The presence of seizures does not immediately indicate an epilepsy diagnosis. Epilepsy is diagnosed if one experiences two unprovoked seizures with an interval of at least 24 hours. The cause of unprovoked seizures is unclear.
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