A new study that was published in the May 9, 2012 issue ofNeurology may help doctors predict the likelihood of future seizures in newly-diagnosed epileptics. This is all decided by how well the patients respond to their first drug treatments, which may include Topamax.

“Our research shows a pattern based on how a person responds to initial treatment and, specifically, to their first two courses of drug treatment,” said study author Patrick Kwan, MD, Ph.D., with the University of Melbourne in Australia.

This study showed that 50 percent of the patients analyzed did not have any seizures after they took their first drug treatment regimen; 13 percent stopped having seizures after they tried their second drug treatment and 4 percent stopped having seizures after they tried their third drug treatment. This study also discovered that 37 percent stopped having seizures after six months of treatment; 22 percent after more than six months. By the time the study ended, 69 percent of those studied stopped having seizures after taking only one medication. For this study, the patient’s age at the time of their first seizure had no impact on the results.

“A person who doesn’t respond well to two courses of epilepsy drug treatment should be further evaluated to verify an epilepsy diagnosis and to identify whether surgery is the best next step,” said Patricia E. Penovich, MD, with the Minnesota Epilepsy Group and the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in St. Paul.

This study could show that prescription drugs like Topamax may not be necessary in treating newly-diagnosed epileptic patients. This could prove to be significant in helping some women prevent their babies from being born with birth defects. Topamax has been proven to cause birth defects that include PPHN, oral clefts, cleft palate, spina bifida and neural defects.

If your child was born with birth defects and you have taken Topamax, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Topamax lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your child’s injuries.