Discontinuing antiepileptic therapy

Prognosis for successful withdrawal of antiepileptics is excellent in selected patients. Studies indicate that therapy should be maintained for at least three seizure-free years before antiepileptics are discontinued. The decision to withdraw medication in an epileptic patient hinges on the likelihood of seizure recurrence and a critical assessment of the benefits of discontinuing therapy as compared with the possible consequences of a recurrent seizure.