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Antiepileptic drugs work by reducing the abnormal firing of cortical neurons. These drugs may change the activity of neurotransmitters responsible for seizures or alter the way ions flow in and out of neurons .

Duration of treatment

A minimum of 2 seizure - free years is an adequate and safe period.
The chance or recurrence is approximately 20-25 % , particularly during the first 6 months after discontinuation of the anticonvulsant.
Those children with the best prognosis following anticonvulsant withdrawal are those with benign epilepsy with rolandic spikes and those with idiopathic generalized seizures.
Complex partial seizures and juvenile myoclonic seizures are more likely to recur .

When the decision is made to discontinue the drug , the weaning process should occur for 3 - 6 months , because abrupt withdrawal may cause status epilepticus !