Epilepsy medication side effects - hair loss and weight gain

Posted by D @zeljko, May 27, 2019

My son 16,5 y, recently (2 months) got epi diagnoses and started taking drugs for his therapy.
(each day: Valproic acid – Depakine, Tegretol (carbamazepinum) and Vimpat (lacosamide)).
He is experiencing:
1. Hair loss
2. Weight gain
Is there good suggestion - experience how to stop hair loss and enhance hair growth, without therapy changes?
What about weight gain? Anyhow speeding the metabolism?
I’ll be thankful for any useful advice.
Regards

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group.

Anyone have new information on Jeavon syndrome?

REPLY

gderickson5
Hello,
Can you tell us how you or someone else is affected by Jeavon syndrome if you are writing on another's behalf?
I had only heard of Jeavon syndrome once before from someone in Scotland years ago.
Any other types of seizures besides the myoclonus?
Jake

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@santosha

@jakedduck1, Hi
Could you just please check the link of the Epilepsy Action? Here it informs that the page does not exist.
Thank you!!!
Santosha

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@santosha
Epilepsy Action
https://www.epilepsy.org.u/

I didn't see the forum. If you do please let me know.
Jake

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@jakedduck1, sorry for my late reply.

I believe there is the "k" missing at the end of the link. Give a try at https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/.
Hope all is well with you.

Have a nice week!
Santosha

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@santosha
Oops.
Thanks
I looked around the site but couldn't find a forum similar to Connects. Did you?
It's different than I remember unless I was thinking of one site and typed another.
Jake

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@jakedduck1

@santosha
Oops.
Thanks
I looked around the site but couldn't find a forum similar to Connects. Did you?
It's different than I remember unless I was thinking of one site and typed another.
Jake

Jump to this post

Hi @jakedduck1

Not really Leonard. There is a virtual support group, but it is for those living currently in the UK.
https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/support-for-you/talk-and-support-virtual-groups#row-fc-5

Santosha

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I am new to this seizure curse. At 72 had first in March of 2022 and have had 3 more since. All nocturnal. DX tonic-clonic. Keppra 500 mg twice daily was first med and my hair came out terribly. Also the fatigue was so bad I couldn’t function. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea after the first seizure. Still trying to cope with cpap. Now on generic Viapat (lacosimide) and hair loss and fatigue stopped completely. Will see if seizures have stopped.

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You may want to read my earlier post of 10-17-22 about hair loss. I have taken Finasteride for over 10 years and have not experienced any side effects, except lower PSA reading. Same with my son who has EPI. Unless your son is totally seizure fee on his current meds I would ask your Dr. about switching to another type of AS mediation. When my son was on Tegretol he gained 50 pounds.
He was about 14 when he got off. Good luck Dad

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@baa

I am new to this seizure curse. At 72 had first in March of 2022 and have had 3 more since. All nocturnal. DX tonic-clonic. Keppra 500 mg twice daily was first med and my hair came out terribly. Also the fatigue was so bad I couldn’t function. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea after the first seizure. Still trying to cope with cpap. Now on generic Viapat (lacosimide) and hair loss and fatigue stopped completely. Will see if seizures have stopped.

Jump to this post

@baac
Hope you stay well with Lacosamide. Happy 2023!
Santosha

REPLY
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