Medication
Anti-seizure medication (ASM), previously called anti-epileptic drugs or AEDs, works by controlling the electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures. It does not cure epilepsy and is not used to stop seizures while they are happening. ASM works best if taken regularly, around the same time each day. Up to 70% of people (7 in 10) could have their seizures fully controlled (stop having seizures) with the right ASM.
The aim of treatment is to stop all of your seizures with the lowest dose of the fewest number of ASMs and with the least side effects.
Usually treatment starts using a single ASM at a low dose, which is increased slowly (called titration), until your seizures are controlled. If your seizures are not controlled with this drug, a different ASM is usually tried (by adding in the new drug and then slowly withdrawing the first one). If your seizures are not controlled with a single drug, another drug might be added, so that you take two different ASMs each day.
Most ASMs have two names, a generic name and a brand name given by the manufacturer (for example, Nurofen is a brand name of the generic painkiller ibuprofen). Some ASMs have more than one generic version and each version can be given its own name. For some ASMs, different versions of the drug can vary slightly and this could affect seizure control. Once you and your doctors have found an ASM which helps to control your seizures, and which suits you, it is recommended that you take the same version of ASM consistently with every prescription, whether it is a generic or brand version. This is called ‘consistency of supply’.
If a prescription only has the generic name of the drug, the pharmacist can give any version of the drug with that name. However, if the prescription has the brand name of the drug, the pharmacist has to give that brand. It can be helpful to get your prescription from the same pharmacist each time as some pharmacists keep records of the medication they dispense and can help with questions about prescriptions. There are also lots of other ways in which your pharmacist can help you.
Information updated: February 2022
Anti-seizure medication (ASM)
Anti-seizure medication (ASM), previously known as anti-epileptic drugs or AEDs, is the main type of treatment for most people with epilepsy, that aims to stop seizures from happening.
Emergency medication
Information and training for people who are responsible for giving emergency medication to people with epilepsy.
Strategies and tools for taking medication
If you have difficulties with taking your medication the following strategies and tools might be helpful.
Epilepsy treatment
If you have just been diagnosed with epilepsy, you may have questions about medication and treatment.
Who can I talk to?
You might want to talk to your specialist, epilepsy specialist nurse or GP, about your epilepsy. You might also want to talk to your pharmacist about your treatment. They may be able to do a ‘Medicines use review’ each year where you can talk to them about your medication.
Our confidential epilepsy helpline provides information and emotional support. You can also get in contact with us through Facebook and Twitter.
New to epilepsy treatment
The decision whether to start taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) can be difficult, and there is a lot to think about. Here we look at the benefits and risks of taking, or not taking, AEDs.
Managing your treatment
Managing your treatment is an important part of managing your epilepsy, and seeing whether your medication is working. This might include having a care plan, including a treatment plan.
Coming off anti-seizure medication
If someone has not had a seizure for two or more years then they may think about withdrawing (coming off) their ASM.
Monitoring epilepsy and medication
How doctors monitor epilepsy including therapeutic drug monitoring which checks the effectiveness of drugs taken by people with epilepsy.
List of anti-seizure medication
List of anti-seizure medication (ASM), previously known as anti-epileptic drugs or AEDs, with details including dosage and possible side-effects.
Sodium valproate
Sodium valproate is an epilepsy drug prescribed for all seizure types including absence, myoclonus and tonic clonic seizures. It is also prescribed to a lesser degree for bipolar disorders. It is known under different brand names including Epilim, Epival, Episenta and Convulex.
New regulations have been introduced by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) around the way in which the drug, sodium valproate is prescribed to women and girls of childbearing age.