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Updated: Nov 12, 2025

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid GABA into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
Published on: May 16, 2019
[How and when to stop antiepileptic drugs?]
Louis Cousyn1,2, Vincent Navarro3,2,4
1AP-HP, hôpital de La Pitié-Salpêtrière, unité d'épilepsie et centre de référence des épilepsies rares, Paris, France .
Abstract:
How and when to stop antiepileptic drugs? Antiepileptic drugs withdrawal can be considered in seizure-free patients with a 2-year minimum complete remission. Risk of seizure recurrence, which is related both to the epilepsy syndrome and individual characteristics, must be evaluated and may rely on the use of a computer-based risk calculator. Identifying epileptic abnormalities on EEG and cortical lesions on brain MRI could lead to reconsider drug discontinuation. Drug tapering must be progressive over 2 to 3 months, with a dose reduction every 2 weeks. Driving is not allowed during tapering and several months after withdrawal. Relapses mainly occur in the first year of withdrawal. A 2-year minimum follow-up of patients is recommended.
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