(BPT) - This article is sponsored by SK Life Science, Inc.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects over 3 million Americans, and remains misunderstood by many. Characterized by unpredictable seizures, it can have a profound impact on a person's day-to-day activities, relationships, and mental health. Yet, with increased awareness, education, and access to proper treatment, those living with epilepsy can work toward a life with fewer seizures.
This November, as the nation observes National Epilepsy Awareness Month, it's an important opportunity to shed light on this often-misunderstood condition and advocate for better care and support for the epilepsy community.
Why Epilepsy Awareness Matters
Despite its prevalence, many misconceptions about epilepsy persist. Seizures, which vary widely in type and severity, are not always easy to identify, and the causes of epilepsy can be complex, ranging from genetics to brain injury. Public awareness campaigns during National Epilepsy Awareness Month aim to dispel myths, highlight the realities of living with epilepsy, and encourage people to learn more about seizure first aid.
Educating the public is crucial, not only to improve the lives of those with epilepsy but also to foster an understanding community. When those around them-family, friends, coworkers-know how to respond to a seizure, it can lead to faster intervention and a stronger support system for the person experiencing the seizure.
Striving for Better Outcomes
While living with epilepsy presents challenges, many people are unaware of the progress in seizure management and treatment options. Seizure control has come a long way in recent years, with advances in medications and individualized treatment plans offering hope to many who may have felt they had few options.
One key step for patients is working closely with a doctor, often an epileptologist or neurologist, to find the right treatment plan for their specific condition. Epileptologists are experts in managing epilepsy and can help patients explore the latest therapies designed to target uncontrolled seizures, empowering them to regain control of their lives.
The Path to Seizure Reduction
National Epilepsy Awareness Month highlights the important goal shared by many patients and doctors: reducing the frequency and impact of seizures. While eliminating seizures entirely may not always be possible, today's treatments offer promising outcomes. It's essential for individuals with epilepsy to consult regularly with their healthcare providers to evaluate and adjust their treatment plans to achieve the best possible seizure reduction.
One such treatment option is XCOPRI® (cenobamate tablets) CV, a prescription medication approved for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults 18 and older, which has been shown to reduce the frequency of seizures in some patients. If you or a loved one struggles with uncontrolled seizures, consider discussing treatment options like XCOPRI with your doctor.
Like any medication, XCOPRI has risks and benefits. Do not take XCOPRI if you are allergic to it or have a genetic problem (called familial short QT syndrome) that affects the electrical system of the heart. XCOPRI can have serious side effects including serious allergic reaction which may affect organs and other parts of your body like the liver or blood cells. XCOPRI may cause problems with the electrical system of the heart (QT shortening). Antiseizure drugs, including XCOPRI, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your doctor right away if you have suicidal thoughts or actions, or new or worsening depression, anxiety, or irritability. XCOPRI may cause problems that affect your nervous system, including dizziness, trouble walking or with coordination, feeling sleepy and tired, trouble concentrating, remembering and thinking clearly, and vision problems. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how XCOPRI affects you.
These are not all of XCOPRI's side effects. We encourage you to read the Important Safety Information included at the end of this article. Before considering XCOPRI®, it is vital to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if it is suitable for your specific needs. For more information, please visit www.xcopri.com.
How You Can Help
Whether you live with epilepsy or want to support someone who does, there are many ways to get involved during National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Take time to learn about seizure first aid, advocate for increased research funding, or raise awareness in your community or online. Every action brings us closer to a world where individuals living with epilepsy can experience better seizure management and thrive with greater confidence and support.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION and INDICATION for XCOPRI® (cenobamate tablets) CV
DO NOT TAKE XCOPRI IF YOU:
- Are allergic to cenobamate or any of the other ingredients in XCOPRI.
- Have a genetic problem (called Familial Short QT syndrome) that affects the electrical system of the heart.
XCOPRI CAN CAUSE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, INCLUDING:
Allergic reactions: XCOPRI can cause serious skin rash or other serious allergic reactions which may affect organs and other parts of your body like the liver or blood cells. You may or may not have a rash with these types of reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away and go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following: swelling of your face, eyes, lips, or tongue, trouble swallowing or breathing, a skin rash, hives, fever, swollen glands, or sore throat that does not go away or comes and goes, painful sores in the mouth or around your eyes, yellowing of your skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, severe fatigue or weakness, severe muscle pain, frequent infections, or infections that do not go away. Take XCOPRI exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. It is very important to increase your dose of XCOPRI slowly, as instructed by your healthcare provider.
QT shortening: XCOPRI may cause problems with the electrical system of the heart (QT shortening). Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of QT shortening including fast heartbeat (heart palpitations) that last a long time or fainting.
Suicidal behavior and ideation: Antiepileptic drugs, including XCOPRI, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying; attempting to commit suicide; new or worse depression, anxiety, or irritability; feeling agitated or restless; panic attacks; trouble sleeping (insomnia); acting aggressive; being angry or violent; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania); or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.
Nervous system problems: XCOPRI may cause problems that affect your nervous system. Symptoms of nervous system problems include: dizziness, trouble walking or with coordination, feeling sleepy and tired, trouble concentrating, remembering, and thinking clearly, and vision problems. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how XCOPRI affects you.
Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that can make you sleepy or dizzy while taking XCOPRI without first talking to your healthcare provider.
DISCONTINUATION:
Do not stop taking XCOPRI without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping XCOPRI suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping seizure medicine suddenly in a patient who has epilepsy can cause seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus).
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
XCOPRI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how XCOPRI works. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider. Tell healthcare providers about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
XCOPRI may cause your birth control medicine to be less effective. Talk to your health care provider about the best birth control method to use.
Talk to your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XCOPRI will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking XCOPRI. You and your healthcare provider will decide if you should take XCOPRI while you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking XCOPRI, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic medicine during pregnancy. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or go to www.aedpregnancyregistry.org.
Talk to your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XCOPRI passes into breastmilk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking XCOPRI.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS:
The most common side effects in patients taking XCOPRI include dizziness, sleepiness, headache, double vision, and feeling tired.
These are not all the possible side effects of XCOPRI. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
DRUG ABUSE:
XCOPRI is a federally controlled substance (CV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep XCOPRI in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away XCOPRI may harm others and is against the law.
INDICATION:
XCOPRI is a prescription medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults 18 years of age and older.
It is not known if XCOPRI is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment.
Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
