When their child has had a seizure, parents are often concerned that the child may need to take a medication to control seizures (an antiseizure medication). Parents are concerned about side effects, and they know that getting children to take a medication on a regular basis is difficult. Learning more about antiseizure medications can help parents better participate in decisions about treatment of their child. Positives:
Negatives:
In weighing concerns, parents should remember that preventing recurring seizures is important because poorly controlled seizures can lead to slowing of mental processing (cognitive delays), emotional and behavioral problems, and poor quality of life. Also, preventing seizures prevents the injuries and accidents that may occur because of a seizure. To be sure medications are taken on a regular schedule, parents can do the following:
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