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I think I mentioned that I’ve been having issues having headaches occurring on a particular area of my head, The NP puton two different meds

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Hayes, VA

one for the daytime and one for the evening when I sleep last night was the first time I felt like I needed the one in the evening so I could sleep and today was actually the first time I needed to during the day now, I don’t know if it takes time or not for this to start improving or not. I really didn’t see much of a difference today, but I did last night with the one I taken in the evening. Hopefully, I’ll see a difference tomorrow if I have to take it.

March 11 (edited)
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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I have been on so many dosages and combinations fo practically everything! I would not be able to say how long it takes for an AED to become effective. There are different factors. Normally they start you with a low dose of something new. My previous Neurologist at times helped me taper down and begin somthing new. An AED made the Radiation and Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer work.

Both Briviact and Lamotragine have itching as a possible side effect, so I will probably take something different. I use a lot of moisturizer, but the Dermatologist said it was from something I took.

March 11
MyEpilepsyTeam

How long does it take for new medications to start working effectively?

It's completely normal that you're not seeing immediate results with your daytime medication yet. Anti-seizure medications typically need time to build up to effective levels in your body.

The timing varies based on several factors:

- Medication half-life Show Full Answer

How long does it take for new medications to start working effectively?

It's completely normal that you're not seeing immediate results with your daytime medication yet. Anti-seizure medications typically need time to build up to effective levels in your body.

The timing varies based on several factors:

- Medication half-life: When increasing a dose or starting new medication, you can estimate it takes about 5 times the half-life to reach steady levels. For example, if the half-life is 24 hours, expect changes around 5 days
- Medication form: Immediate-release forms work faster (within hours), while extended-release versions take longer but maintain steadier levels
- Type of issue being treated: Some people notice improvement within days or weeks, while others may need several weeks for the medication to reach effective levels

Since you noticed the evening medication helped with sleep last night, that's actually a positive sign that it's working for its intended purpose. Give the daytime medication a bit more time to build up in your system. It's important to take both medications consistently at the same times each day to maintain steady levels and see their full benefit.

Keep track of your headaches and how you're feeling over the next week or two. If you're not seeing improvement after giving it adequate time, reach out to your medical provider to discuss whether adjustments are needed.

March 11
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Every medication works differently. There are some that need to build up a specific amount in the system before it actually will begin working and there are others that will work within an hour after it is taken. I personally only know of AED medication that needs to build up in the system before it will actually begin taking effect and making changes; I have never taken the quick acting AED medication so I cannot reply to how that works.
I have taken 32 different medication types over the years but unfortunately I cannot assist on your question. I do hope you are able to get some relief.

March 13
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

How much you take and when you take it - both can make such big differences. I went off meds for just a month, and I felt fantastic. But after testing the doctor told me I had to restart at 11 pills a day.
And I cut down 1 pill every 6 months. I was taking too much. The next 3 years felt like three decades. Until I finally dropped to 5 pills a day, I realized that I had been straight up out of it!

March 12
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

What area normally mine come after my eye twitchs

March 11

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