If you have epilepsy, have you ever wondered about the different treatment options available? Specifically, have you ever wondered about taking Viagra? You’re not alone in wondering about this. In fact, according to a recent survey, 28% of people with epilepsy are currently taking (or have taken in the past) Viagra to treat their condition. But does this medication really work for people with epilepsy? And are there other medications that might be better suited for treating this condition? Let’s take a look, shall we?
What Is Epilepsy?
Put very simply, epilepsy is when you have seizures. A seizure is when you suddenly become paralyzed, lose consciousness, or experience other symptoms that are caused by an abnormal electrical discharge in the brain. This might feel like a minor seizure, or it might be so severe that you end up injuring yourself or someone else. There are many different forms of epilepsy and the exact cause of many of them is unknown. However, there are some obvious risk factors that make someone more likely to develop epilepsy. These include:
- having a prior history of the condition
- being born prematurely or having low birth weight
- a family history of the condition
- exposure to certain toxins such as alcohol or tobacco
- having head trauma or a brain injury
- being infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- being on immune-suppressants for another medical condition
- being a woman
- having a seizure disorder
- being extremely stressed
- having an anxiety disorder
- being genetically predisposed to the condition
- having some types of brain tumors
In some instances, the seizures are so severe that it’s not safe for the person experiencing them to be awake. This is why they need to take medications to control their condition. The good news is that there are several different medications that can be used to treat this condition. In some cases, it’s possible to completely prevent seizures by taking the right medication at the right time. In other cases, controlling the seizures with medication and changing the way you live your life can be a combination that helps to improve the overall quality of your life. As you might imagine, this can be extremely frustrating for the person experiencing it. So let’s take a look at how to choose the right medication for you.
The Different Medications For Epilepsy
Let’s start by differentiating between the different kinds of seizures. The first thing you might want to do is try and identify the type of seizure you have. To this end, it might be helpful to consult with a neurologist or epileptologist. Your neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the brain and nervous system. An epileptologist is a doctor who specializes in seizures and epilepsy. It’s important to remember here that not all neurologists are psychiatrists, and not all psychiatrists are neurologists. So while your doctor can give you an accurate diagnosis, they might not always be equipped to prescribe you medication that is specifically designed to treat your condition. This is where having an epileptologist on staff can be extremely helpful. They can advise you on the different types of medication available for seizures, and which one is best suited to your specific needs.
When choosing a medication for epilepsy, your neurologist will most likely recommend trying one of the following:
- clobazam
- diazepam (commonly known as Valium)
- phenobarbital (a barbiturate)
- tiagabine (a gabapentinoid)
- topirate
- zonisamide (an anticonvulsant)
Of these medications, only clobazam and diazepam are known to be effective against all types of seizures. As you might imagine, this can be helpful since it means you don’t have to choose between different medications based on the type of seizure you have. This can also be particularly beneficial if you have more than one kind of seizure. For example, you might experience both tonic and clonic seizures. If one medication only works for one type of seizure, you can try another one without worrying about whether or not it will be effective against the other type. This is why having a medication that is effective against all types of seizures is preferable.
Is Viagra Right For Me?
So now that you know what epilepsy is and the different medications that can be used to treat it, you might be wondering about taking Viagra. Specifically, you’re wondering about whether or not it’s right for you if you have epilepsy. Let’s take a look. First of all, remember that not all people with epilepsy will have the same response to this medication, so it’s important to find out what works best for you.
As mentioned above, there are several different types of medications that can be used to treat epilepsy. Some of these medications are more suitable for men, while others are better suited for women. For example, Phenobarbital is a barbiturate that’s known for being effective against all types of seizures. It has a slightly fruity taste which many find pleasant and has a quick effect. However, it can cause harm to the kidneys.
On the other hand, Diazepam is a benzodiazepine that’s often considered the Gold Standard for medication because it’s highly effective against all types of seizures. It’s also the most prescribed medication for epilepsy. It’s well-tolerated by most people with epilepsy and has a favorable effect on cognition. However, it does have some negative side effects, so it’s not right for everyone.
As you can see, there are different medications suited for different people with epilepsy. Now, it’s important to keep in mind here that not all people with epilepsy will respond to each medication, and not all of them will experience the same side effects. It’s also important to find one that works best for you, since you’ll be taking it for the rest of your life. As a guideline, your neurologist can help you choose a medication that is best suited for your specific needs. However, if you’re worried about whether or not a medication will work for you, it’s always better to ask your doctor rather than guessing.
When Should I Take My Medication?
Now that you know what medications are available for epilepsy, you might want to consider when you should be taking them. One of the most important things to do is build a medication schedule that works best for you. This is especially important if you have more than one kind of seizure or experience side effects from your medication. For example, if you have been taking Phenobarbital and it’s suppressing your appetite, you might not want to take it at the same time as your Zonisamide or Tegretol, since this could potentially cause you to experience severe weight loss. It’s also important to consider how well you respond to each medication. In other words, does one medication cause you to experience more side effects than the other? This can be difficult to determine for sure, but it’s important to keep in mind.
As with any new medication, it might take a little while for your body to adjust to the changes that the medication makes to it. This means that you might experience some side effects initially. However, if you follow the directions your neurologist gave you for taking the medication and continue to do so, these side effects should go away and you should start experiencing the benefits of the medication. In most cases, this is more than sufficient time for your body to adjust and the medication to take effect. However, it’s still important to take the time to see how your body responds before making any major decisions regarding changes to your medication.
Risks And Side Effects Of Anticonvulsants
If you’re currently taking or have taken an anticonvulsant in the past, you need to be aware of the risks and side effects that come along with it. As mentioned above, not all people with epilepsy will benefit from anticonvulsants and in many cases, they can cause more harm than good. Here’s a short list of some of the risks and side effects of anticonvulsants: