Antiseizure medication discontinuation: A mixed-methods exploration of factors considered by patients when approaching decision-making.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Antiseizure medications (ASMs) represent standard treatment for epilepsy. Yet, ASMs have adverse effects, and seizure risk decreases with longer seizure freedom. Guidelines consider ASM withdrawal after a period of seizure freedom. However, work exploring how patients approach this decision is scarce. We inquired what decision-making factors patients feel are relevant to ASM discontinuation.

Methods

We conducted a mixed-methods study of adults seen for epilepsy, at least one-year seizure-free, across three academic institutions. This included a semi-structured interview script assessing attitudes towards seizures, ASMs, and ASM discontinuation.

Results

We interviewed 32 participants. Factors supporting ASM discontinuation included current side effects (e.g.

SUBMITTER: Terman SW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12849773 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature