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Epilepsy Patients Achieve Seizure Freedom After 12-Month Medication Adjustment
26 Aug
Summary
- 60% of focal epilepsy patients become seizure-free after 12 months on medication
- Patients with history of anxiety/depression more likely to have drug-resistant epilepsy
- Levetiracetam only effective for 25% of patients as first-line treatment
According to a study published on August 25, 2025 in JAMA Neurology, it takes about a year for most people with focal epilepsy to find relief from anti-seizure medications. The research, conducted between 2012 and 2020, tracked nearly 450 newly diagnosed epilepsy patients across 34 centers in the U.S., Europe, and Australia.
The findings reveal that 60% of these patients were able to achieve complete seizure freedom after a median of 12 months on medication. However, 63% experienced ongoing or worsening seizures during their first year of treatment as doctors worked to find the right drug and dosage. Notably, those with a history of psychological issues like anxiety or depression were nearly twice as likely to have drug-resistant epilepsy that did not respond well to treatment.
The study also suggests that the common first-line medication, levetiracetam, may not be the most effective option. Only 25% of patients initially prescribed levetiracetam were able to become seizure-free on their first try. Despite these challenges, the researchers say the current arsenal of epilepsy drugs remains potent, with 84% of those who achieved seizure freedom never experiencing a relapse.
