Patient's question:
My son was diagnosed with childhood absence epilepsy by the hospital. He has been enduring medication ever since, and the treatment has been quite effective. Recently, my wife suggested trying to increase his medication dosage, but I am worried it might cause adverse side effects.What kind of help is needed: What are the consequences of abruptly reducing medication for childhood absence epilepsy?
Doctor's answer:
Absence epilepsy, like other types of epilepsy, if the drug is used to suppress absence seizures effectively, it is generally not recommended to increase the dosage of the drug on your own or to stop the medication blindly. Generally, it is necessary to carefully observe for 2 years or more after the condition is completely suppressed and there are no recurrences. If there are no further episodes, it can be considered to increase the dosage under the guidance of a professional doctor, and immediately return to the original dosage if there is a recurrence. If there are no further recurrences, the dosage can be gradually increased in 3-4 increments and then discontinued.