Phone: (513) Toll Free: (877) Website:

 To provide information on seizures and epilepsy;  To help you to better recognize different types of seizure activity;  To help you to respond to seizures in an appropriate manner.

 A seizure is a brief interruption in the normal functioning of the brain that takes the form of a massive release of electrical energy (like an electrical storm).  This release of electrical energy and its outward manifestation is what is called a seizure.

 Epilepsy is defined as a neurological disease that is characterized by unprovoked, recurrent seizures.  An unprovoked (or reflex) seizure and the probability of further seizures similar to the general recurrence risk after 2 unprovoked seizures occurring over the next 10 yrs. i  The onset of these seizures can occur without warning at any time in a person’s life.

 3 million Americans are diagnosed with epilepsy.  Epilepsy strikes most often in the young (under age 2) and the old (over 65 years), although it can develop at any age.  326,000 school age children 15 and under are affected by epilepsy; 90,000 of these children have severe seizures.  570,000 adults over 65 years develop epilepsy.

 In 70% of the cases of epilepsy, the cause cannot be determined.

 Symptoms of a tonic-clonic seizure include:  Loss of consciousness  Falling  Rigidity  Convulsions  Shallow breathing  Drooling  Occasionally, skin may turn blue  Possible loss of bladder of bowel control  Usually followed by confusion, tiredness and emotional upset  Usually lasts 1-3 minutes

 Symptoms of an absence seizure include:  Pause in activity with a blank stare  Brief lapse of awareness  Usually lasts 1-10 seconds  May be confused with behavioral issues

 Symptoms of complex seizures include:  Altered awareness  Blank stare or dazed look  Automatisms: Picking at clothes Lip smacking Chewing  Garbled speech  Clumsy or disoriented movements  Aimless walking

 Picking things up  Often lasts 1 to 3 minutes  Often followed by:  Tiredness  Headache  Emotional upset  May be confused with other behaviors

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 First time seizure  Convulsive seizure lasting more than 5 minutes  Repeated seizures without regaining consciousness  Individual has diabetes or is pregnant  Seizure occurs in water or injury is suspected  Parents/Guardians request an emergency evaluation  If individual is not breathing after a convulsive seizure  Non-convulsive seizure lasting more than 5 minutes beyond the normal duration for that individual Follow seizure emergency definition and protocol as defined by healthcare provider in seizure action plan

 Sometimes Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) are prescribed for patients who tend to have seizure clusters or status epilepticus  Several of these include:  Ativan® (generic: lorazepam)  Versed® (generic: midazolam); now available in a nasal spray  Diastat® (generic: diazepam); dispensed as a rectal gel

Abbott Laboratories  Manufacturer of:  Depakote® (generic: divalproex sodium)  Depakene® (generic: valproate) GlaxoSmithKline  Manufacturer of:  Lamictal® (generic: lamotrigine)

Novartis Pharmaceuticals  Manufacturer of:  Tegretol® (generic: carbamazepine)  Trileptal® (generic: oxcarbazepine) Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical  Manufacturer of:  Topamax® (generic: topiramate)

Pfizer  Manufacturer of:  Neurontin® (generic: gabapentin)  Lyrica® (generic: pregabalin)  Dilantin® (generic: phenytoin) UCB  Manufacturer of:  Keppra® (generic: levetiracetam)  Vimpat® (generic: lacosamide)

Partnership for Prescription Assistance or  If you don’t have prescription coverage and can’t afford your medicines.  This program is funded by America’s pharmaceutical companies.

895 Central Ave., Suite 550 Cincinnati, OH Phone: (513) Toll Free: (877) Fax: (513) Website: