When can an epileptic stop medicines?
Dr JD Mukherji
Head & Senior Director in Neurology,
Max Institute of Neurosciences,
Max Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi
Head & Senior Director in Neurology,
Max Institute of Neurosciences,
Max Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi
Q: My husband is epileptic and takes the following medicines: Carbatol 200 mg 4 tablets a day, Hepatogaurd - 2 tables a day and Becosule - a table a day. It has been more that 5 years since he had an epileptic attack. Should he discontinue the medicines or should he continue them? His right hand shivers a lot.
A:We can take decision to stop medication after ascertaining the following: normal MRI brain, normal ECG, seizure free period > 2-3 years. The drug can be tapered off gradually under the supervision of your doctor/neurologist.