US: Introduction to VNS Therapy™

About one in three people with epilepsy suffer from drug resistant epilepsy, which is difficult to treat with medication. In fact, studies have shown that if two anti-epileptic medications fail to control seizures, most people will not achieve seizure freedom with a third. If any of this information relates to your current epilepsy, VNS Therapy™ may be for you.
To obtain VNS Therapy™, a brief outpatient procedure is required, taking about an hour and involving only two small incisions. The VNS Therapy™ device is implanted and attached to the vagus nerve. This device sends mild pulses through the nerve to areas of the brain that are associated with seizures. It is a proven long term solution, already being used by more than 125,000 people around the globe, including 35,000 children.
VNS Therapy™ is not a drug, which means there's no need to worry about any drug related side effects. An additional benefit is the VNS Therapy™ magnet, which can come in the form of a bracelet and can be used to deliver an extra dose of stimulation in attempt to stop or shorten the duration of a seizure and improve recovery after a seizure.
The goals of VNS Therapy™ are fewer seizures, shorter seizures, better recovery after seizures, and improving the overall quality of life. Talk to your neurologist to determine if VNS Therapy™ is right for you.
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THIS VIDEO IS INTENDED FOR AUDIENCES IN THE UNITED STATES ONLY. The VNS Therapy System is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in patients 4 years of age and older with partial onset seizures that are refractory to seizure medications. The most common side effects with VNS Therapy are hoarseness, shortness of breath, sore throat and coughing. These side effects generally only occur during stimulation and usually decrease over time. The most common side effect of the surgical procedure is infection. For important safety information, visit www.vnstherapy.com/safety