Mark & Associates, P.C. Attorneys At Law

Antiepileptic Drugs Linked to Suicide

On January 31, 2008, the FDA warned that the most frequently used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may be linked to an increased risk of suicide. In a review of 199 studies comparing 11 epilepsy drugs to placebos, researchers found that patients taking the drugs had about twice the risk of suicidal behavior compared with patients taking a placebo. The drugs, included in the study and the subsequent FDA warning, are listed below:

·    Carbatrol (Carbamazepine)
·    Tegretol (Equetro)
·    Felbatol (Felbamate)
·    Neurontin (Gabapentin)
·    Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
·    Keppra (Levetiracetam)
·    Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine)
·    Lyrica (Pregabalin)
·    Gabitril (Tiagabine)
·    Topamax (Topiramate)
·    Depakote (Valproate)
·    Zonegran (Zonisamide)

The FDA said it will “work with drug companies” to update the warning labels on their drugs to warn about the potential suicide risk. The agency also said it will hold an advisory committee meeting with experts to discuss the findings of the studies. Some experts have said that the issue of suicidal behavior being associated with these drugs is nothing new. If that is the case, why did the FDA wait so long to issue a warning?

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a condition that results in the recurrence of seizures that are not due to fever, active infection, drug effects, or other triggering causes. Epilepsy may be caused by several conditions that injure a part or all of the brain, including developmental problems, inherited disorders of the brain or nervous system, brain trauma, brain tumors, stroke, infections, and poisoning. However, most cases of Epilepsy are a mystery, with approximately 70% having no known cause. Over 2.5 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with epilepsy, with about 150,000 new diagnoses each year.

What is a Seizure

A seizure occurs when there is an abnormal firing of nerve cells in the brain that causes the messages between these cells to become jumbled. A seizure may cause a variety of different symptoms, including shaking or twitching in one part of the body or the entire body, repetitive movements or gestures; confusion, feelings of fear or other emotions, hallucinations,; loss of consciousness; and convulsions.

Legal Rights for Side Effects Victims

If you or a loved one suffered an injury while taking an antiepileptic drug you may have valuable legal rights. Mark & Associates, P.C. offers a free case consultation to all AED users and their families. To learn about your legal rights, please call 1-866-507-4448 or submit an evaluation form on the right side of this page.