What are the treatments for epilepsy?

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Medication

Epilepsy cannot be 'cured' with medication. However, various medicines can prevent seizures. They work by stabilising the electrical activity of the brain. You need to take medication every day to prevent seizures. Seizures are well controlled by medication in about 4 out of 5 cases. Deciding on which medicine to prescribe depends on such things as: the type of epilepsy, age, other medicines that you may take for other conditions, possible side-effects, pregnancy, etc.

One medicine can prevent seizures in most cases. A low dose is usually started at first. The dose may be increased if this fails to prevent seizures. In some cases two medicines are needed to prevent seizures.

The decision when to start medication may be difficult. A first seizure may not mean that you have epilepsy as a second seizure may never happen, or occur years later. The decision to start medication should be made by weighing up all the pros and cons of starting, or not starting, the medicine. A common option is to 'wait and see' after a first seizure. If you have a second seizure within a few months, more are likely. Medication is commonly started after a second seizure that occurs within 12 months of the first. However, there are no definite rules and the decision to start medication should be made after a full discussion with your doctor.