An FDA advisory panel has decided not to recommend a black box warning for epilepsy drugs.
Studies have shown an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people taking Epilepsy drugs, but the panel does not feel that the evidence is strong enough to require a black box warning.
Out of all the studies analyzed, out of just over 43000 patients 30 attempted suicide, with 4 of those people actually killing themselves.
Some leading drugs used to control seizures include; Neurontin, Lyrica, and Topamax. The panel’s recommendation applies to 11 top epilepsy medications.
The panel did recommend a move that would see doctors receive documentation pertaining to the dangerous risks associated with the drugs, so they could properly inform patients.
The other drugs analyzed by the panel include; Lamictal, valproate, oxcarbazepine (sold under the brand name Trileptal), Tegretol, tiagabine, zonisamide, levitiracetam, and felbamate.
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