With all of the internet traffic we see lately on Epilepsy and living life with Epilepsy, I haven’t seen much on this news story that was released on Monday:

The headline read: Only some epilepsy drugs may raise suicide risk.

The study was done in the UK, and consisted of more than 44,000 UK patients who used epilepsy drugs between 1990 and 2005. Researchers found an increased risk of suicide, attempted suicide or “self-harm” only among current users of certain newer medications that had previously been linked to a risk of depression.

The drugs? Topiramate (Topamax), Tiagabine (Gabitril), Levetiracetam (Keppra) and Vigabatrin (Sabril).

Everyone on an anti-seizure medication, from Topamax to Dilantin to Vimpat can see the words right on their pill bottle. I checked mine this morning, and there they were: ‘May increase risk of suicidal thoughts and activities’. It most likely depends on your pharmacy, but my pill bottle is filled with other warnings too. It’s a mess of red and yellow stickers (and teeny tiny writing). ‘Medication should be taken with plenty of water (that one is in bold type); ‘May cause drowsiness, alcohol may intensify this effect, use with care when operating a car or dangerous machinery’; ‘This medication may lower the effectiveness of some forms of birth control. Consult your doctor or pharmacist’.

It’s confusing and many of those stickers can be overlooked if we aren’t cognizant of what we are taking. Before you begin a medication, you must speak to your neurologist about the possible side effects. Do your own research on the internet. Know what you are in for before popping that first pill in your mouth. We read often about how depression is so prevalent in people with Epilepsy; we have to know what to expect and what certain drugs can do to us. And, if you aren’t comfortable with the side effects, talk to your neurologist. You may have other options.

Talking to your family and friends, those who are around you often, might also help. People who are close to you will notice changes in your behavior, perhaps even before your notice them in yourself. So, it’s nothing to be ashamed of if you let your spouse, partner or parent know about these warnings. Are the stickers necessary? Yes, but to some degree, we must ‘warn’ ourselves and be prepared for what might happen when we take a certain medication.

As for Monday’s news, doctors will probably tell us if you take medications other than the ones mentioned in this study, you still must be aware. The fact is, thoughts of suicide or depression in general may be associated with the actual seizures. Mood changes may occur before, during or after a seizure, and in other people with Epilepsy, mood changes are not related to the timing of a seizure, but relate to where the seizure is coming from in the brain. A seizure that comes from an emotional center in the brain may be more likely to produce a change in mood.

How often seizures happen also plays a role in depression. People who have seizures frequently may be more likely to feel depressed than people who have well-controlled seizures.

So, there’s still a great need for awareness, and don’t make a secret of the potential side effects of your anti-seizure medications. It just might help you and others around you.

For more information on Epilepsy and Depression, click here.