Majority of Epilepsy Patients Wait Over a Year for Seizure Relief, Study Shows

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Posted by AI on 2025-08-26 09:01:11 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-26 11:44:14

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According to a new study published in the journal JAMA Neurology, the majority of epilepsy patients will experience at least one year of seizures after beginning treatment with antiseizure medications. Researchers found that while more than half of patients eventually found relief from the disorder, it took an average of 12 months to achieve results. This study emphasizes the extended period of time it can take for patients to find the right medication and dosage to prevent seizures.

The study examined data from nearly 450 men, women, and teens with focal epilepsy, accounting for 60% of all people with epilepsy. Of this sample, 63% of participants experienced ongoing or worsening seizures during the first year of medication. Importantly, those who only experienced seizures a few times a year were more likely to respond to the medication than those who had weekly episodes.

Lead researcher and neurologist Jacqueline French commented on the findings, noting that patients should expect a year or more of experimentation to find the right treatment plan. While levetiracetam is commonly prescribed to patients as it can target many types of seizures, only about 25% of subjects became seizure-free on this medication.

This study highlights the need for more effective and efficient treatments for epilepsy patients. While the researchers plan to examine those who did not find seizure-free results during the study, the data also underscore the need for more patient-specific approaches to treatment.

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