Does Fits Cause Behavioral Changes While On Encorate Chrono?

Posted on Fri, 10 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 10 Jan 2014 Answered on

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My brother has had episodes of fits during past. And a noted neurosurgeon had prescribed Encorate Chrono 500. He has been taking it for more than 6 years now. The fit problem is solved, but the behavioural disorder has not changed. he gets angry, picks up small things to fight, talks loudly, but later on he acts befriending. Is this type of behaviour common in patients with fits? he also weak in studies as he finds it difficult to remember what he read, anyways he is very sharp and he has all the ability of outsanding genius. Please help me understand this

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Follows. Detailed Answer: Dear Sir, Thank you for posting your query on XXXXXXX Well looking into your query I will like to tell you that your brother is taking valproate sodium which is known to cause a number of side effects affecting the central nervous system like memory impairment, headache , cognitive impairment etc. Behaviour modifications like confusional state, aggression, agitation, disturbance in attention are also common . On a different note even seizures can also lead to all these symptoms and this type of behaviour is commonly seen with these patients . I will advise you to understand his position and have a sympathetic attitude towards him . Sometimes these people are brilliant in one field as you also mentioned regarding your brother ,so it is all common findings that you are mentioned . Take care. Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (4 minutes later)

Thank You Doctor, for your answer in a short time. Will he have to take this medicine forever, or what are the indicators to stop this medication? I hope you got my point

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Follows. Detailed Answer: Dear Sir, Different clinicians follow different things , there is no specific guidelines but a fit free interval of 3 years is generally apt to stop the treatment and see . But some patients may require it whole life long . Your treating doctor is the best judge for this situation as he knows the entire situation exactly . Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar