Lippy's Spine Line

Monday, February 4, 2008
8:54:00 PM CST
Feeling Worried
                    For any of you who may be taking Antiepileptic,or know people who are taking it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued new information, for you to take note of. I can't stress this enough for anyone who may have teen or children who may require these medications.  This warning is something your doctor should mention to you, but if you ask them about it.

The FDA has put an alert out on certain Antiepileptic's, but it may well hold true for any drug in that class according to this report. 

FDA Alerts Health Care Providers to Risk of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior with Antiepileptic Medications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued new information to health care professionals to alert them about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (suicidality) in patients who take drugs called antiepileptics to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, migraine headaches, and other conditions.

The medications are these, and others that may be in the same class.

Antiepileptic drugs in the analyses included the following:

 Carbamazepine (marketed as Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR)
 Felbamate (marketed as Felbatol)
 Gabapentin (marketed as Neurontin)
 Lamotrigine (marketed as Lamictal)
 Levetiracetam (marketed as Keppra)
 Oxcarbazepine (marketed as Trileptal)
 Pregabalin (marketed as Lyrica)
 Tiagabine (marketed as Gabitril)
 Topiramate (marketed as Topamax)
 Valproate (marketed as Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, Depacon)
 Zonisamide (marketed as Zonegran)

Some of these drugs are also available in generic form.

Although only the drugs listed above were part of the analysis, the FDA expects that all medications in the antiepileptic class share the increased risk of suicidality.

Remember friends, the FDA is not telling you to stop these medications.  They are letting you know about the study, and referring you to your own doctor.  Between you and your doctor, a decision can be made.  Whatever you do, don't stop the medication abruptly.   Refer any questions, to you doctor please..

Thanks Michelle for passing this news along...:)  If anyone else has news they feel is important, feel free to email me with it.  herlippy1@aol.com


Tags: antiepileptic medications, seizures, depression, FDA, suicidal thoughts

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This entry has 3 comments: (Add your own)

• #3 Comment from herlippy1Entry Author 
  4/11/08 1:26 PM | Permalink

  Having problems finding words, and an increase in appetite are fairly common problems when people first go on anti seizure medications.  Both problems tend to ease off as you adjust to the medications.  Your taking 2 of these meds, so your really prime for it.  I take 2 as well, as I have both seizures and nerve pain.  I've been taking Tegretol for years, and added Topamax about 3-4 years ago.  Adding the second one was very difficult, and had to be done very slowly.  
  
  If the problem continues though, I'd check with your doctor.  They can switch you to another medication instead of the Lyrica.
  
  Let us know how things go..have a good weekend..:)
  
  Lippy..:)
• #2 Comment from arundinaria08 
  4/9/08 9:16 PM | Permalink

  Hi I am new here,
  
  I have been taking Lyrica for 3 months and I haven't had any such issues, however I am bipolar as well as being a recovering 3 level fusion patient and I have taken Bupropion and Depakote for many years which may have some effect. My main side effect is having a large appetite which must be warched and a tendancy to have trouble finding words sometimes but this isnt entierely new :)
• #1 Comment from pamelaneckpain 
  2/10/08 3:47 AM | Permalink

  Wow ... I was taking Topamax AND Neurontin. That's too much.  I think I'll go off Neurontin. I don't really think it helps me.
  Pamela Neckpain