New Treatments for Epilepsy
Since 1992, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved many new drugs for epilepsy treatment. The new drugs have provided many more options for patients who have epilepsy. They have also enabled many patients with epilepsy to have better control of their seizures. More than 2.5 million Americans are living with epilepsy and approximately 35% have poorly controlled epilepsy.
You can find out more information on these new treatments at the following website: http://www.epilepsy.com/EPILEPSY/SEIZURE_MEDICINES
Other treatments for epilepsy include the vagus nerve stimulator (VNS). This pacemaker-like device is designed to provide a small electrical stimulus to the left vagus nerve (in the neck). Seizures may be reduced with this device. See the Epilepsy Foundation for more information.
Epilepsy surgery may be an option for patients with partial epilepsy. A recent trial showed that surgery was a better option compared to medication for patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. See the Epilepsy Foundation for more information.
There are other medications and stimulation devices currently in clinical trials. See ClinicalTrials.gov for more information.
More articles about epilepsy:
- Types of Epileptic Seizures
- Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment
- First Aid for Epileptic Seizures
- Epilepsy: A Guide for Teachers and School Nurses
- Back to the Epilepsy Overview
For more information:
Go to the Epilepsy health topic.