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Ethosuximide treatment

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 18:24

I am writing hoping to find out a bit more about the treatment of Ethosuximide.  My 7 year old Son was diagnosed 1 month ago with Childhood Absence Seizures.  His Neurologist started him on 250ml a day of Ethosuximide and after 1 week 250ml twice a day.  He is on day 15 and my husband and I have seen a huge decrease in the amount of seizures he has a day but we are still noticing that he is still having them. They seem to last for just a split second and I have noticed that they occur when he is tired.  Usually early in the morning or in the evening time.  I told his Dr that he was still having them (less frequent) after the first week on medication and she said that was to be expected.  So I guess my question is Ethosuximide suppose to stop seizures completely or just decrease the amount that you have a day.  Or is it still too soon on the medicine to see a difference?  Any answers on this subject will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

Comments

Re: Ethosuximide treatment

Submitted by soxoreo on Thu, 2009-01-29 - 22:07
Our little girl weighs about 55 pounds and when she was on 6ml, her bloodwork indicated she was at approximatel 60% of max dosage.  She is currently on 8ml and were waiting for her bloodwork report.  My guess is she'll max out on Etho at or near 10ml twice per day.  So to answer your question, the amount is weight based and toxicity is measured with blood samples. 

Re: Ethosuximide treatment

Submitted by soxoreo on Wed, 2009-01-28 - 14:34

Sounds familiar.  Our soon to be 8yr old daughter has been on Etho for about 8 weeks too. The medicine diminished most but not all of her seizures immediately but since have increased.  Our Neuro is increasing her dosage from 7ml to 8ml twice per day.  Though she eats (not well) before taking the medicine, she has severe nausea and we're NOT sure how to help alleviate it.  Any suggestions would be welcomed.  

We've been wondering if there would be less nausea if she was taking the tablet version vice liquid Etho. Hopefully the nausea will subside when she stables out on 8ml.  Hopefully the seizures will stop! We are on a path to maximize her Etho and then more than likely add Depakote.  We've also noticed the medication's effect on the types of dreams she is having.    

Sounds familiar.  Our soon to be 8yr old daughter has been on Etho for about 8 weeks too. The medicine diminished most but not all of her seizures immediately but since have increased.  Our Neuro is increasing her dosage from 7ml to 8ml twice per day.  Though she eats (not well) before taking the medicine, she has severe nausea and we're NOT sure how to help alleviate it.  Any suggestions would be welcomed.  

We've been wondering if there would be less nausea if she was taking the tablet version vice liquid Etho. Hopefully the nausea will subside when she stables out on 8ml.  Hopefully the seizures will stop! We are on a path to maximize her Etho and then more than likely add Depakote.  We've also noticed the medication's effect on the types of dreams she is having.    

Re: Ethosuximide treatment

Submitted by DawnMaries on Wed, 2009-01-28 - 18:04

My son has been having more dreams that he remembers of late. Nothing too strange or out of the ordinary but he often wakes up in the morning and let's me know what he dreamt.  Our Neuro said that Depakote will be the next drug we try if the Etho does not completely control the sz. I am not at all happy about this and I am hoping that maybe there is something else we coud try instead.  I have read all the possible side effects that can occur years down the road that has me terrified.  So hopefully for the both of us the Etho controls them completely!! 

Dawn

My son has been having more dreams that he remembers of late. Nothing too strange or out of the ordinary but he often wakes up in the morning and let's me know what he dreamt.  Our Neuro said that Depakote will be the next drug we try if the Etho does not completely control the sz. I am not at all happy about this and I am hoping that maybe there is something else we coud try instead.  I have read all the possible side effects that can occur years down the road that has me terrified.  So hopefully for the both of us the Etho controls them completely!! 

Dawn

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