Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitious seizures (two or more) that typically lack a known source. It is treated with anticonvulsant medications that reduce activity in the brain.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects of epilepsy medication are drowsiness, mild rash and mild motor impairment.
Toxicity
One potential side effect of is toxicity, which occurs when the medication level in the blood is too high. This can result in blurred vision, fatigue and stomach discomfort.
Cognitive Impairment
As most anticonvulsant drugs decrease neuron activity or depress the central nervous system, they can affect concentration, memory and mental acuity.
Bone Loss
Bone loss can occur from taking some epilepsy medications, such as carbamazepine, primidone and phenobarbitol.
Inflammation
In some cases, epilepsy medication results in inflammation of either the liver or pancreas.
Allergic Reaction
Some people taking epilepsy medications have allergic reactions that can range from mild rashes to liver failure and bone marrow damage.
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