Some epilepsy patients worry their seizures will return amid medication shortage – CTV
Dec. 13, 2024
TORONTO – The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance says an ongoing shortage of an epilepsy medication is leaving some patients worried they’ll start to have seizures again if they switch to an alternative.
The shortage of Teva-clobazam, which began last May, is expected to last until April next year, according to Health Canada’s drug shortages website.
The alliance represents epilepsy organizations across the country and says patients are scrambling to find doses at different pharmacies.
Another version of the drug, Apo-clobazam, is available but experts say some people can’t take the medications interchangeably without risking breakthrough seizures.
Dr. Eduard Bercovici, a Toronto neurologist specializing in epilepsy, says drug shortages can be “devastating” for people relying on them to prevent seizures.
