Drug-resistant epilepsy is defined as the failure of two anti-seizure medications to achieve long-term seizure freedom, as long as those medications were appropriately prescribed, properly used, and well-tolerated. In other words, seizures that continue after trying at least two anti-seizure medications are considered drug-resistant epilepsy.
Drug-resistant epilepsy is also known as refractory epilepsy, hard-to-treat epilepsy and DRE.
Studies have shown that adding more medications is not likely to control DRE.
While the seizures of drug-resistant epilepsy typically can’t be stopped with medicine alone, there is hope. If you’ve tried multiple medications, yet continue to have seizures, it’s time to question your seizure treatment. Talk to your doctor about other treatment options available.
Despite what we know about the risks of living with drug-resistant epilepsy, many people continue to be prescribed multiple medications instead of being evaluated for non-drug therapy options.
