Best to delay medication for infrequent seizures

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Giving medication immediately, after single or infrequent seizures, does not stop recurrence, according to a new trial.
It has not been clear whether it is a good idea to start anti-epileptic drugs when a patient has just one seizure. These drugs, mainly carbamazepine and valproate, are not without side effects so a delay in treatment might be preferable. A team at the University of Liverpool now reports on a trial where those with single or infrequent seizures had either immediate or deferred treatment.

Immediate treatment did reduce short-term recurrence, but had no impact on long-term outcome. More patients in the immediate treatment group reported adverse effects - probably treatment related. In view of this, doctors looking after patients with single or infrequent seizures may decide to adopt a 'wait and see' policy.

Source
The Lancet 11th June 2005