Question

A 7-year-old child who is taking medication to prevent seizures has been seizure free for 2 years. The child's parents ask a nurse, "How much longer will my child need to take the medication?" What is the best response by the nurse?

Answer 1

It depends on how his body is in taking it. So he will not have to use the medication any longer. If the body is healing the body then he doesn’t have to take it anymore.

Answer 2

Answer:

In the given case, it is important that the medications should not be stopped suddenly, however, it should be reduced gradually. For a patient suffering from seizures, a protocol has to be followed that is used to wean a child of anticonvulsants slowly as sudden withdrawing of the drug could lead to a seizure.  

The discontinuation of the drug takes place slowly as the child becomes seizure-free for two years, and possess an EEG within the anticipated limits. Anticonvulsants cannot be ceased suddenly at the two-year follow-up visit, however, the discontinuation process can get initiated.