How common is drug resistant epilepsy?

Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), also known as refractory epilepsy and hard-to-treat epilepsy, is a condition where seizures continue despite trying 2 or more anti-epileptic medicines that are appropriately prescribed, properly used, and well-tolerated.

Living with DRE brings on many challenges. These go beyond physical risks and include emotional and behavioral difficulties, as well as disruptions to daily life and overall well-being.

Discover how common this condition is, its main causes and challenges, and the possible options for treatment.

Prevalence of DRE
Epilepsy affects many people worldwide, and while doctors and scientists have made a lot of progress in understanding seizures over the years, drug-resistant epilepsy continues to be a challenge in the treatment of epilepsy. Research indicates that one out of every three individuals with epilepsy face ongoing seizures despite having medication.

Causes and Risk Factors
The factors contributing to drug resistance in epilepsy are diverse, since it is different for each person due to genes, how medications work in the body, lifestyle influences, and other health conditions.

What are the main reasons people with epilepsy can't achieve seizure management with medicine alone?

• Drug resistance: Some people with epilepsy have seizures that do not respond well to certain anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). This could be due to various reasons like the type of epilepsy they have, how seizures happen for them, and differences in how their body processes certain medicines.
• Side effects from medication: Epilepsy medications can cause unwanted effects that make them harder to tolerate, and some people may experience these side effects even when taking the right dose.
• Mental health and lifestyle factors: Even with the right treatment, issues like stress, anxiety, depression, or habits like drinking alcohol or not getting enough sleep can interfere with how well a medication works and can make seizures more frequent or severe.

What are the main challenges that living with DRE presents?

• Higher chance of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP): People with DRE face a higher risk of SUDEP, often linked to uncontrolled seizures. Lowering how often seizures happen is important for reducing this risk.
• Increased mood disorders: Living with DRE can cause feelings of sadness, worry, and stress, as well as, problems with moods and behavior because of the struggles that can come with having frequent seizures and searching for treatments that work well.
• Greater possibility of health complications: Some health problems or symptoms happen more often in people with seizures.

Challenges in Managing Seizures & their Impact on Quality of Life

The struggle of managing constant seizures has a deep effect on people with epilepsy. Not only does it take a physical toll, but it also impacts the overall quality of life of the person. Coping with the ongoing nature of DRE requires support from loved ones and flexible strategies for seizure management.

Treatment Options for those who experience Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

While drug-resistant epilepsy can be tricky to navigate, there are key treatment options available. One of them is VNS Therapy™, an add-on treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat focal seizures that don’t respond to medications in people ages 4 and older. VNS Therapy™ can help individuals have more seizure-free moments and may offer meaningful quality-of-life improvements*.

*Individual results may vary, view safety information here.

The most common side effects include hoarseness, shortness of breath, sore throat, and coughing during stimulation, which often occur only during stimulation and decreases over time for many people. Infection is also possible following the procedure. Other common surgery-related side effects include headache, nausea, and soreness or skin reactions.

How do I know what’s right for me?

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment when it comes to DRE. It is a highly personal process to analyze your treatment options. We recommend having detailed conversations and testing to help you and your doctor learn as much as possible about your epilepsy.

Empower yourself with knowledge and explore all your options to better manage drug-resistant epilepsy: