Epilepsy Medication Doses Missed in Most Children

A new study reveals that three out of five children newly diagnosed with epilepsy during the first six months of their therapy treatment miss doses of prescribed antiepileptic medication. This new study appears in today's issue of the journal of the American Medical Association.

According to the study children from the least wealthiest families were least likely to take the medications as directed. According to studies author Avani Modi, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center stated that a lower socioeconomic status increases the risk of not following the prescribed doses.

It was determined that among the children only 42% who were newly diagnosed had taken their prescribed medications as directed.

The Epilepsy Foundation notes, this brain disorder affects around three million Americans. Information in the study reveals there are 325,000 children under the age of fifteen with epilepsy.

It is a well known fact that among adults with epilepsy not taking the recommended medication is associated with continual seizures and other issues. There is less information available on both the long and short term effects on children who do not take their medications as prescribed.

Adults with epilepsy who miss doses of their medications are more apt to have seizures and higher health care costs along with a greater risk of death from the disease.

Researchers are state it is not clear if these same outcomes apply to children but the possible consequences are a great worry.

Assistant professor Modi conjects the reasons for this may vary. Some parents could be in denial over their children having epilepsy and some may believe the risks of the drug outweighs the risk for seizures. Some may fear of negative events. She further notes that the research did show that a higher socioeconomic status a family had the greater chance of sticking to the medication schedule was achieved.

Assistant professor Modi has been a consultant for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc., which has an interest in antiepileptic medications. In September, the company pleaded guilty and had agreed to pay $422.5 million in order to settle criminal and civil charges for improperly marketing their Trileptal for unapproved uses. Trileptal is in a group of drugs called anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs. It is used to treat partial seizures in adults and children with epilepsy and who are at least two years old.

For more information on epilepsy you can go to the Epilepsy Foundation on line.

Remember it is vital to medications as prescribed. There are alternative therapies in which may help with this disorder. As with any alternative therapy it is not meant to replace current treatments you are currently on. It is to be used with those treatments and advise your healthcare practitioner if you are planning on using any of them.

Chiropractic

A review of literature regarding chiropractic care in relation to patients with epilepsy with emphasis being place on children with epilepsy had been conducted.

The results of that study had reviewed 17 reports of pediatric epileptic patients who received chiropractic care. Among the 17 patients, 14 had been taking anticonvulsants medications which were not successful to manage their condition. Upper cervical care had been administered to correct vertebral subluxation in 15 patients, all the patients had reported positive outcomes after care.

The conclusions had revealed chiropractic care may be a non-pharmaceutical approach for pediatric epileptic patients. Evidence had suggested that the correction of the upper cervical vertebral subluxation complex may be most beneficial in epileptic patients especially in children.

Acupuncture

Many people with epilepsy have found acupuncture treatments to control their seizures. Acupuncturist Bob Clarke, L.A.c., in Eugene, Oregon had stated acupuncture can be useful for epilepsy, it is dependent upon the type and the extent. Among several people he has treated with epilepsy, the treatment had helped in decreasing the frequency and severity of seizures. It is not a quick fix and people must stick with the treatment. Like numerous acupuncturists herbal medications and dietary recommendations will be made. Sources:

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US News

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