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Weaning Antiseizure Medications

Activity Provided by the American Epilepsy Society

Release date: September 1, 2022
Expiration date: September 1, 2025

About This e-Module
Starting with a review of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2021 Practice Advisory, this interactive e-module offers a practical framework for if, when, and how to wean patients off antiseizure medications (ASMs). Participants will be guided through realistic patient scenarios that will demonstrate how to use patient data and current research to determine patient readiness for medication withdrawal.
*Note: This course focuses on the decision to discontinue medication and does not address the cross-titration process.

Faculty
Jeannine Conway, PharmD
Associate Professor
University of Minnesota

Soundarya N. Gowda, MD
Associate Professor of Neurology
Carilion Clinic-Virginia Tech SOM
Epileptologist
Neurological Associates-HCA

Lynn Liu, MD, MS (HPE)

Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics and Anesthesiology & Peri-Operative Services
University of Rochester Epilepsy Center

Learning Objectives

  • Refer to the 2021 AAN Practice Advisory for updated information about antiseizure medication withdrawal
  • Analyze four types of patient information for consideration of weaning ASMs
  • Assess the benefits and risks of weaning medications using patient information and clinical research
  • Decide the best course of action based on the four types of patient information and the benefits and risks of weaning ASMs
Disclosure Policy
It is the policy of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor. All individuals involved in the selection, development and presentation of content are required to disclose any real or apparent conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest will be resolved by AES prior to an educational activity being delivered to learners.

Planning Committee, Faculty, Reviewers' Disclosures of Financial Relationships
In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, the AES requires that any person who is in a position to control content of a CME activity must disclose all relevant financial relationships that they have with an ineligible company. Unless otherwise indicated (*), none of the planners or faculty of this activity have any financial relationships to disclose. All relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies have been mitigated. The following individuals contributed to this activity’s content. Update for all courses this year.


Planning Committee and Faculty
David Ficker, MD-Consultant/Other: Greenwich Pharmaceutical, Best Doctors, Verana Health
Madison Berl, PhD-Consultant: Cadence Design Systems, Praxis Precision medicines, Encoded Therapeutics
Jeannine Conway, PharmD-Consultant: Greenwich Biosciences
Tyler Gaston, MD-Consultant: Greenwich Biosciences, Inc.
Soundarya N. Gowda, MD
Nicole Hartmann, DO, MBS
Elaine Kiriakopoulos, MD, MSc
Liu Lynn, MD
Wolfgang Muhlhofer, MD
Madona Plueger, ACNS-BC, APRN, CNRN, FAES
Olga Selioutski, DO-Grant/Contract: SAGE, UCB Inc.
Jaysingh Singh, MD
Chengyuan Wu, MD-Consultant: Biotronik Inc., Neuropace, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Nevro Corp, Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic

CME Reviewer
Tyson Burghardt, MD, FAES

American Epilepsy Society Staff Planners
Kandice Kidd, MA
Cristina Graham

Resolution of Conflicts of Interest
It is the policy of the American Epilepsy Society to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor. All persons involved in the selection, development and presentation of content are required to disclose any real or apparent conflicts of interest. In accordance with the ACCME Standards of Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, the AES implemented the mechanisms of prospective peer review of this CME activity, to identify and resolve any conflicts. Additionally, the content of this activity is based on the best available evidence.

Accreditation
The American Epilepsy Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

For more information regarding contact hours, please call American Epilepsy Society 312.883.3800 or education@aesnet.org.

Credit Designation
The American Epilepsy Society designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CME Certificate
To receive credit for your participation in this activity, please complete the evaluation survey provided at the conclusion of the activity.

Unapproved Use Disclosure
The American Epilepsy Society requires CME authors to disclose to learners when products or procedures being discussed are off-label, unlabeled, experimental, and/or investigational (not FDA approved); and any limitations on the information that is presented, such as data that are preliminary or that represent ongoing research, interim analyses, and/or unsupported opinion. This information is intended solely for continuing medical education and is not intended to promote off-label use of these medications. If you have questions, contact the medical affairs department of the manufacturer for the most recent prescribing information. Information about pharmaceutical agents/devices that is outside of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved labeling may be contained in this activity.

Disclaimer
This CME activity is for educational purposes only and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the American Epilepsy Society. Reasonable efforts have been taken to present educational subject matter in a balanced, unbiased fashion, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each activity participant must always use his or her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label, investigational and/or experimental uses.