Epilepsy is life-altering. Having seizures can be stressful and unpredictable, which can make it hard to live in the moment. Learning about your diagnosis can help you feel more in control, though.
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Epilepsy is a condition caused by irregular brain activity. Some people are prone to seizures because they were born with an abnormal brain structure. Others develop epilepsy after a head injury, tumor, stroke, or infection. These are not all the possible causes of epilepsy. In some people, the cause is unknown.
Generalized-onset
seizures
Involve both sides of the brain
Focal-onset
seizures
Start on one side of the brain
Unknown-onset
seizures
Seizure origin was not observed
When neurons begin firing excessively, it can cause a number of symptoms and sensations, including:
Abnormal stiffness of the arm and/or leg
Illusions and hallucinations
Déjà vu or jamais vu
Fear/anxiety
Lip smacking, chewing, or swallowing movements
Loss of consciousness
Fumbling of hands or shuffling of feet
Confusion after the seizure ends
Focal seizure triggers vary from person to person, but some common ones include:
Keeping a seizure diary can help you identify your triggers.
Download Seizure Diary
Living with focal seizures—or caring for someone who has them—can be challenging. Here are some ideas that could help you along the way:
The more closely you stick with your epilepsy treatment plan, the better your chances of reducing seizure frequency.
Use plastic containers rather than glass, avoid cooking over an open flame, place carpets on hardwood floors, and avoid locking bedroom and bathroom doors in case you have a seizure.
Every state has different laws and regulations when it comes to driving with epilepsy. Find out your state’s regulations.
Let others know you have epilepsy by wearing a medical ID bracelet with the word epilepsy on the back or carrying a card with instructions on what to do if you have a seizure.
Track the frequency and duration of your focal seizures and any possible triggers. Share your seizure diary with your doctor so they can determine how well you’re doing.
Download Seizure DiaryHelp other people in your life understand your condition, how it affects you, and how to respond to a seizure. Download this brochure to help guide the conversation.
DownloadYou may be able to live an active lifestyle with epilepsy but be sure to talk with your doctor first to find out which activities are okay.
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Important Safety Information and
Indication for APTIOM
It is not known if APTIOM is safe and effective in children under 4 years of age.
Important Safety Information and
Indication for APTIOM
It is not known if APTIOM is safe and effective in children under 4 years of age.
Do not take APTIOM if you are allergic to eslicarbazepine acetate, any of the other ingredients in APTIOM, or oxcarbazepine.
Suicidal behavior and ideation: Antiepileptic drugs, including APTIOM, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying; attempting to commit suicide; new or worse depression, anxiety, or irritability; feeling agitated or restless; panic attacks; trouble sleeping (insomnia); acting aggressive; being angry or violent; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania); or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.
Allergic reactions: APTIOM may cause serious skin rash or other serious allergic reactions that may affect organs or other parts of your body like the liver or blood cells. You may or may not have a rash with these types of reactions. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: swelling of the face, eyes, lips, or tongue; trouble swallowing or breathing; hives; fever, swollen glands, or sore throat that do not go away or come and go; painful sores in the mouth or around your eyes; yellowing of the skin or eyes; unusual bruising or bleeding; severe fatigue or weakness; severe muscle pain; or frequent infections or infections that do not go away.
Low salt (sodium) levels in the blood: APTIOM may cause the level of sodium in your blood to be low. Symptoms may include nausea, tiredness, lack of energy, irritability, confusion, muscle weakness or muscle spasms, or more frequent or more severe seizures. Some medicines can also cause low sodium in your blood. Be sure to tell your health care provider about all the other medicines that you are taking.
Nervous system problems: APTIOM may cause problems that can affect your nervous system, including dizziness, sleepiness, vision problems, trouble concentrating, and difficulties with coordination and balance. APTIOM may slow your thinking or motor skills. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how APTIOM affects you.
Liver problems: APTIOM may cause problems that can affect your liver. Symptoms of liver problems include yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, or dark urine.
Most common adverse reactions: The most common side effects in patients taking APTIOM include dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, headache, double vision, vomiting, feeling tired, problems with coordination, blurred vision, and shakiness.
Drug interactions: Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking APTIOM with certain other medicines may cause side effects or affect how well they work. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your health care provider. Especially tell your health care provider if you take oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, clobazam, omeprazole, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, or birth control medicine.
Discontinuation: Do not stop taking APTIOM without first talking to your health care provider. Stopping APTIOM suddenly can cause serious problems.
Pregnancy and lactation: APTIOM may cause your birth control medicine to be less effective. Talk to your health care provider about the best birth control method to use. APTIOM may harm your unborn baby. APTIOM passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You and your health care provider will decide if you should take APTIOM. If you become pregnant while taking APTIOM, talk to your health care provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic medicine during pregnancy. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334.
Get medical help right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
INDICATION:
Aptiom® (eslicarbazepine acetate) is a prescription medicine to treat partial-onset seizures in patients 4 years of age and older.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For more information, please see the APTIOM Medication Guide and Full Prescribing Information.