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Epilepsy is the most common serious brain disorder worldwide, affecting people of all ages, races, and social classes and from every corner of the globe. Here, in the United States, it is estimated that about 3 million adults live with epilepsy each year, and out of those, about 1 million being women and girls.
Seizures During Menstruation
For many women with epilepsy, their menstrual cycle can be more than just a physical inconvenience—it can actually influence their seizure activity. In fact, about half of the women of childbearing age who have epilepsy have reported an increase in seizures during their period. This type of seizure, known as catamenial epilepsy, is fairly common among women during their reproductive years.
So why does this happen? Well, it’s all about hormones. Studies suggest that the natural fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, especially around menstruation, can play a big role. Progesterone usually acts as a natural anticonvulsant, helping to keep seizures at bay. On the other hand, estrogen can actually increase the excitability of brain cells, potentially leading to more frequent or intense seizures during their menstrual cycle.
Personalized Treatment
Understanding the connection between hormones and seizures is a vital part of managing epilepsy in women. Thankfully, ongoing research is shedding more light on this complex relationship, and there are several ways to personalize treatment plans to better manage epilepsy. Here are a few strategies to consider: - Tracking menstrual cycles: By keeping a close eye on your cycle and identifying any other potential triggers during that time, you and your healthcare provider can adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
- Managing water retention: Water retention during the premenstrual period is common, but there are ways to reduce its impact, which might help in controlling seizures.
- Sticking to your medication regimen: Adherence to your prescribed medication is key to maintaining seizure control.
- Exploring treatment options: It's always a good idea to have an open conversation with your healthcare provider about your current treatment if you are an adult with partial-onset seizures. You might want to discuss whether XCOPRI® (cenobamate tablets) CV could be a suitable option for you. XCOPRI is a prescription medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults 18 years of age and older.
Remember, everyone's experience with epilepsy is unique, and it’s important to work with your healthcare team to find the treatment plan that best suits your individual needs.
Like any medication, XCOPRI has risks and benefits. Do not take XCOPRI if you are allergic to it or have a genetic problem (called familial short QT syndrome) that affects the electrical system of the heart. XCOPRI can have serious side effects including serious allergic reaction which may affect organs and other parts of your body like the liver or blood cells. XCOPRI may cause problems with the electrical system of the heart (QT shortening). Antiseizure drugs, including XCOPRI, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your doctor right away if you have suicidal thoughts or actions, or new or worsening depression, anxiety, or irritability. XCOPRI may cause problems that affect your nervous system, including dizziness, trouble walking or with coordination, feeling sleepy and tired, trouble concentrating, remembering and thinking clearly, and vision problems. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how XCOPRI affects you.
Considering XCOPRI By incorporating XCOPRI into your treatment, you and your healthcare provider can work together to better manage your epilepsy, including partial-onset seizures that worsen around your menstrual period or finding that your treatment isn't fully addressing your needs.
Talk to your neurologist or epileptologist about XCOPRI to see if XCOPRI is right for you and visit www.xcopri.com today for more information. |
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION and INDICATION for XCOPRI® (cenobamate tablets) CV
DO NOT TAKE XCOPRI IF YOU: - Are allergic to cenobamate or any of the other ingredients in XCOPRI.
- Have a genetic problem (called Familial Short QT syndrome) that affects the electrical system of the heart.
XCOPRI CAN CAUSE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, INCLUDING:
Allergic reactions: XCOPRI can cause serious skin rash or other serious allergic reactions which may affect organs and other parts of your body like the liver or blood cells. You may or may not have a rash with these types of reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away and go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following: swelling of your face, eyes, lips, or tongue, trouble swallowing or breathing, a skin rash, hives, fever, swollen glands, or sore throat that does not go away or comes and goes, painful sores in the mouth or around your eyes, yellowing of your skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, severe fatigue or weakness, severe muscle pain, frequent infections, or infections that do not go away. Take XCOPRI exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. It is very important to increase your dose of XCOPRI slowly, as instructed by your healthcare provider.
QT shortening: XCOPRI may cause problems with the electrical system of the heart (QT shortening). Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of QT shortening including fast heartbeat (heart palpitations) that last a long time or fainting.
Suicidal behavior and ideation: Antiepileptic drugs, including XCOPRI, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying; attempting to commit suicide; new or worse depression, anxiety, or irritability; feeling agitated or restless; panic attacks; trouble sleeping (insomnia); acting aggressive; being angry or violent; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania); or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.
Nervous system problems: XCOPRI may cause problems that affect your nervous system. Symptoms of nervous system problems include: dizziness, trouble walking or with coordination, feeling sleepy and tired, trouble concentrating, remembering, and thinking clearly, and vision problems. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how XCOPRI affects you.
Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that can make you sleepy or dizzy while taking XCOPRI without first talking to your healthcare provider.
DISCONTINUATION:
Do not stop taking XCOPRI without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping XCOPRI suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping seizure medicine suddenly in a patient who has epilepsy can cause seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus).
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
XCOPRI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how XCOPRI works. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider. Tell healthcare providers about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
XCOPRI may cause your birth control medicine to be less effective. Talk to your health care provider about the best birth control method to use.
Talk to your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XCOPRI will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking XCOPRI. You and your healthcare provider will decide if you should take XCOPRI while you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking XCOPRI, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic medicine during pregnancy. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1‑888‑233‑2334 or go to www.aedpregnancyregistry.org.
Talk to your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XCOPRI passes into breastmilk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking XCOPRI.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS:
The most common side effects in patients taking XCOPRI include dizziness, sleepiness, headache, double vision, and feeling tired.
These are not all the possible side effects of XCOPRI. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1‑800‑FDA‑1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
DRUG ABUSE:
XCOPRI is a federally controlled substance (CV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep XCOPRI in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away XCOPRI may harm others and is against the law.
INDICATION:
XCOPRI is a prescription medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults 18 years of age and older.
It is not known if XCOPRI is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment.
Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
PM-US-XCOP-1492 9/24 |
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