Indian healthcare industry makes significant strides in epilepsy treatment with access to new drugs & surgical options
Posted on November 18, 2024 Updated on November 17, 2024
The Indian healthcare industry has made significant strides in improving the accessibility and effectiveness of epilepsy treatments in recent years. With the advent of new drugs, advanced surgical options, better diagnostic tools and increased awareness, epilepsy management has seen a positive transformation.
The accessibility of these new treatments marks a major step forward for epilepsy patients, offering them a better quality of life and more opportunities for seizure control. With continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and awareness, India has the potential to further improve outcomes for individuals with epilepsy, stated healthcare providers in Karnataka.
There has been a significant introduction of newer, more effective antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). These newer medications offer several advantages over older drugs, including fewer side effects, better efficacy, and easier dosing regimens. National Epilepsy Day observed annually on November 17 aims to raise awareness about this neurological condition.
Dr Raghuram G, additional director, neurosurgery, Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru, said that in India, epilepsy treatment has advanced with accessibility to new drugs and surgical options. Recently introduced medications include levetiracetam, lacosamide, and brivaracetam. Surgical interventions like resective surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, and deep brain stimulation are available in select centers. Indian hospitals also offer advanced diagnostic tools like EEG, Video EEG, Invasive monitoring like Stereo EEG, advanced Imaging like MRI, and PET scans. However, challenges persist due to limited accessibility, affordability, and awareness.
Approximately 70% of epilepsy patients in India remain untreated or undertreated. Government initiatives and NGOs are working to improve awareness and accessibility, but more efforts are needed to bridge the treatment gap, especially in rural areas, he added.
“Epilepsy is a common neurological condition during pregnancy. Most women with epilepsy will have a normal pregnancy and labor though there is a slightly higher chance of birth defects in some cases,” said Dr Yasmin Imdad, sr consultant obstetrics & gynaecologist, Kinder Hospitals, Bengaluru.
The new drugs for treating epilepsy in pregnant women including lamotrigine and levetiracetam have lesser side effects on both the baby and the mother and for better control of the disease. The treatment options for pregnant women are generally medicines alone, preferably mono therapy so that surgeries can be avoided as much as possible. Surgeries are done usually in the second trimester if needed to save the mother’s life. We treat epilepsy in pregnant women in conjunction with a neurologist and proceed with a multidisciplinary team approach, added Dr Imdad.
Dr Vidya V Bhat, medical director, RadhaKrishna Multispecialty Hospital, Bengaluru, said, “We recognize the advancements in epilepsy treatment, from innovative drugs and therapies to improved surgical interventions that enhance patient outcomes. However, treating epilepsy in pregnant women remains complex, requiring careful balance to protect both mother and child. Doctors must carefully select medications and treatment plans that minimize seizure risks while avoiding potential harm to the foetus. New therapeutic options are helping to make this balance easier, but ongoing research and individualized care are essential in managing epilepsy during pregnancy safely and effectively.”
Dr Ravi Kumar C P, consultant – paediatric neurology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru said, “Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition affecting an estimated 50 million globally, with over 3.4 million living with the disorder. Treatment for epilepsy primarily focuses on controlling seizures, with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) being the first line of defense. Around 70% of patients achieve seizure control with AEDs. For those who don’t respond to medication, options like surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, or dietary therapies such as the ketogenic diet are advised.”
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