My neurologist has recommended felbatol as an adjunctive therapy to control his seizures. He's currently on Depakote & Lyrica and has a VNS but he continues to have 2 to 3 seizures a week. Does any one have any experience with this drug?

Hi ferrells,
I've never taken felbatol but I know that it can cause aplastic anemia, liver damage, and cause a person to be more suicidal. If I may ask how old is the person having the seizure problem and what type of seizures is the person having? The reason why I'm asking this question is because felbatol is used for complex partial seizures and if the person having the seizures is going through puberty or there change that can increase the seizures. I also know that a person taking Depakote should not be taking this drug. You should call your pharmacist to get more detail about the drug it can be risky for some people. I wish I could give you better news. What you might want to try is to have the person whose having seizures to start taking vitamin B12 1000 mcg. a day it has been a great help reducing my seizures with no side effects. Here's wishing you and your family the best and May God Bless All of You!

Sue

Felbatol Welbatol Melbatol. Some Docs will
have you sign your name in blood to take
that drug!

I was on it and was quickly off of it; I can
compare it to "Dopey-Kote" (Depakote) and
"KepRAGE" (Keppra) combined!

However every AED (anti-epileptic drug) is
DIFFERENT for every single person, so what
works for John Q Public doesn't necessarily
mean it will work for Joe Blow and Bonnie
Blabbermouth. For we are all unique, and like
a snowflake, the medication(s) are tailored
personally and individually (think of 100%
customization) to our own needs. Everyone's
seizure(s) are different, and so on from there.
This also includes to the fact - everyone's
medical background is different, as well as
everyone's chemistry and hematology is
different, and I could ramble on and on and
on. But to put the "icing on the cake" - there
is one more thing of importance: everyone
reacts to the medication differently as well.

So for the Neurologist / Epileptologist, it's one
heck of a job being a Doctor having to deal with
each patient individually if you sit down and
really think about it!

The only way to know and confront it all is through
trial and error and one heck of a lot of patience!
It cannot be rushed through, everything must be
titrated and monitored, and thereon.

And above all things - always keep a close rapport
with your Neurologist / Epileptologist: ASK A LOT OF
QUESTIONS! Even about the drug you are going to
be on - ASK! Even ask your Pharmacist as well! You
can do some research online such as:
Drugs.com
and even looking up for Drug Interaction if you need.
And plus - it's a MUST that you let your Doctor be
aware of any supplements that you're talking - including
any herbal, vitamins, et cetera - for some of these things
can actually do more harm than good. And some AEDS
work better if you're on some specific vitamin(s).

While the above is not an exhaustive list, but clicking
on the Epilepsy Foundation link below or to NeuroTalk's
research above - will provide you info.

Felbatol turned out to be a great med for me. I was having daily seizures, mostly partials but some GM and felbatol stopped them completely for 18 months. The only side effect i had was some loss of appetite.
I dont think it is as scarey as they made it sound but all meds work differently for each person.
I hope it works out.

I've taken felbatol for a month now with topamax and phenobarbital. It is doing well. I don't have a lot of appetite but push myself to eat. My body has gotten used to it and nausea and dizziness went away after three weeks. I have taken all anticonvulsants made so I am remaining optimisitic. Buy some Ensure for some quick energy or make a nice smoothie for him. Take care and God Bless.