Study Testing Outcomes After Planned Discontinuation of AntiSeizure Medication
University of Michigan
Summary
The main purpose of this study is to understand the effects of continuing versus discontinuing antiseizure medications after a period of seizure-freedom. Physician guidelines endorse that after a period of seizure-freedom, the risk of another seizure may be low enough to allow patients to consider coming off antiseizure medication to see if they still need it. However, evidence is limited regarding how much continuing antiseizure medication still reduces seizures versus increases side effects after a patient has been treated for a while. This study will determine whether discontinuing antiseizure medications benefits patients.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study * Diagnosis of epilepsy * At least 2 years since participants most recent seizure * At most 35% calculated 1-year post-discontinuation seizure risk, based upon the existing multivariable calculator if they are on only 1 ASM, otherwise no such restriction if they are more than 1 ASM * Willingness to adhere to the study intervention * Taking at least 1 antiseizure medication prior to enrollment Exclusion Criteria: * C…
Interventions
- DrugDiscontinue antiseizure medications
Discontinue 1 antiseizure medication. Patients will discontinue 1 of their current antiseizure medications, reducing by 25% every approximately 2 weeks in the discontinuation group or with an individualized taper plan agreed. Participants will attend approximately 5 study visits: once at the beginning, and then four quarterly visits. Each visit may last approximately 1-2 hours. These visits would be conducted by Zoom, unless participants want to conduct visits in-person or need to conduct over the phone.
Location
- University of MichiganAnn Arbor, Michigan