biostudies-literatureTerman SWNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeUniversity of MichiganNIA NIH HHSEpilepsy SocietyNINDS NIH HHSNational Institutes of HealthNational Institute on Aging107615https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12849773biostudies-literatureUnknown217<h4>Objectives</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>We interviewed 32 participants. Factors supporting ASM discontinuation included current side effects (e.g.Epilepsy researchAntiseizure medication discontinuation: A mixed-methods exploration of factors considered by patients when approaching decision-making.PMC12849773K23 AG081463K23 NS126495K23NS126495Kalia NMortati KManuel KBurke JFSilva JMKuster MGrant ACBrand ALee JTolmasov AO'Kula SSTerman SWHill CEPatel PSReid MDugan MfalseAntiseizure medication discontinuation: A mixed-methods exploration of factors considered by patients when approaching decision-making.<h4>Objectives</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>We interviewed 32 participants. Factors supporting ASM discontinuation included current side effects (e.g.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Nov2026-06-16T07:18:34.265Z2026-06-16T03:09:39.401ZS-EPMC128497734054076110.1016/j.eplepsyres.2025.107615