Side Effects Of Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants, also commonly called antiepileptics, are medications used to treat seizures caused by epilepsy. In addition, anticonvulsants can be used to treat neuropathic pain, and some are approved to treat migraines. Some bipolar disorder patients benefit from certain anticonvulsants as mood stabilizers. There are many anticonvulsants available, and they have a wide range of potential side effects. The ways they work can also differ. Over the past twenty years, several new anticonvulsants have been developed and approved. These may have fewer side effects than older antidepressants. While taking an anticonvulsant, the doctor may order periodic blood tests to make sure their patient's health is okay.

Get familiar with some of the side effects linked to anticonvulsants now.

Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of anticonvulsant medications. The fatigue is usually worst when patients first start taking the medication, and it should lessen over time. Newer and more traditional anticonvulsants can both cause fatigue. Different drugs might cause different fatigue levels. If patients experience severe fatigue on one anticonvulsant, it's possible switching to another will lessen these effects. Research indicates certain anticonvulsants can cause fatigue in up to thirty percent of patients. The fatigue can present differently and is classed as 'central' or 'peripheral' depending on the symptoms. If there is depression or inhibition of the central nervous system, the result is central fatigue; changes in peripheral nervous system processes cause peripheral fatigue. If a patient's fatigue manifests as tiredness, lethargy, brain fog, trouble concentrating, and a lack of mental energy, that's centralized. Meanwhile, peripheral fatigue manifests in the cardiac or skeletal muscles. It causes an individual's ability to tense their muscles to decline when they're repeatedly stimulated. This can cause their muscles to feel weak, tired, and sore. If either of these things is inhibiting an individual's day-to-day activities, they should talk to their doctor.

Read more about the side effects of anticonvulsants now.

Nausea

Patients might experience nausea when they take an anticonvulsant, especially after first starting the medication. Some might have nausea severe enough to induce vomiting. Gastrointestinal issues are extremely common side effects of anticonvulsants. Because of the discomfort, some patients might stop taking their medication or take it irregularly because they don't want to feel sick. However, patients should always talk to their doctor before discontinuing medication, and until then, take it regularly. Some drugs can cause different digestive effects in comparison to others. For example, one study showed patients who were taking carbamazepine or valproic acid were much more likely to develop nausea and vomiting. However, when patients were being treated with two or more anticonvulsants at once, and gabapentin or phenytoin was added, there was a much higher risk of issues including heartburn, dysphagia, and diarrhea. The highest rate of digestive issues occurred in patients who took gabapentin in addition to two or more other anticonvulsants. This indicates taking multiple anticonvulsants at once might compound digestive issues.

Get more details on side effects linked to anticonvulsants now.