Common adverse drug effects impacting the patient's quality of life:
(1) impaired energy, fatigue, lethargy and/or sluggishness
(2) sleepiness, insomnia and/or tiredness
(3) restrictions on social activities
(4) cognitive problems (memory problems, difficulty paying attention, slowness of thought, difficulty concentrating)
Additional factors affecting quality of life:
(1) inability to control seizures despite optimized drug therapy
(2) need for high doses and/or multiple drugs to control seizures
(3) weight gain
(4) dizziness or problems with balance that make walking difficult
(5) drug-induced depression or mood disorder
(6) headache
(7) problems involving hair, skin or mouth
