One-fifth of U.S. neurologists are unaware of serious safety risks associated with epilepsy drugs and are potentially risking the health of patients who could be treated with safer medications, a new study reveals.
The 505 neurologists who took part in the survey between March and July 2012 were asked if they knew about several epilepsy drugs’ safety risks recently identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
These risks included increased danger of suicidal thoughts or behaviors linked with some newer drugs, a high risk for birth defects and mental impairment in children of mothers taking divalproex (brand name Depakote), and the likelihood of serious hypersensitivity reactions in some Asian patients treated with carbamazepine (Tegretol).
I suffered many side effects. My neurologist refused to agree with my findings. Then one day she said to me, what can I say, I screwed up. That same doctor wanted to put me on Prozac for the anger issues she witnessed. They were from the meds.