Table of contents - Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

2:2 MEDICATION
AEDs: ANTI-EPILEPTIC DRUGS
Patient Information Sheet
DRUGS: People with brain tumors may experience seizures related to their tumor, the surgery
or the treatment they receive that can irritate the surrounding brain. Therefore, it is
common for patients with brain tumors to require anti-seizure drugs. AEDs are used to
suppress the electrical activity in the brain that can lead to seizures. In general, AEDs are
recommended around the time of surgery for a short period of time; they may be permanently
recommended for people who have had a history of seizures.
Some frequently prescribed anti-seizure medicines are:
Dilantin (Phenytoin) Keppra (Levetiracetam)
Lamictal (Lamotrigine) Tegretol(Carbamazepine)
Topamax (Topiramate) Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine)
Your neurosurgeon and neurologist will determine which one is best for you and how long
you should take the medication. The following is some general information on these types
of drugs. Please refer to the individual drug package insert and your pharmacist/health care
team for more information specific to the drug you have been prescribed.
DOSAGE: Dosage varies, depending on the specific drug and each patient’s needs. It is
important not to skip doses, and if you do forget to take the skipped dose, take it as soon
as you remember and then resume your normal schedule. If you have any questions, please
contact your health care provider.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: All AEDs can cause side effects. Some side effects do not
depend on how long and how much you are taking, some do. People react differently.
Common and/or important side effects are:
• Rash
• Confusion
• Lethargy
• Sleepiness
• Unsteadiness
BLOOD TESTS: Some AEDs require regular blood tests to monitor their therapeutic levels
and your body functions.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Women have special issues regarding AEDs because of
pregnancy, birth control pills and breast feeding. Women on AEDs should use birth control
or speak with their medical team regarding plans for pregnancy.
EFFECTS ON ABILITY TO DRIVE OR USE MACHINES: Due to differing individual
sensitivity, some people might experience sleepiness or other central nervous system
related symptoms, especially at the beginning of treatment or following a dose increase.
Therefore, caution is recommended in those people when performing skilled tasks such as
driving vehicles or operating machinery.
Patients are advised not to drive or use machines until it is established that their ability to
perform such activities is not affected and their seizures are well-controlled.
The fact that you are on an AED does not automatically make you ineligible to drive a car.
Each state in the United States has guidelines and restrictions that are based on whether
patients have ever had a seizure, and driving privileges may be awarded or revoked based on
frequency of seizures and how much time has elapsed in which the person has been seizure
free. Please consult your local department of motor vehicles for additional information.