Anti-epileptic drugs

How do they work?

Epilepsy is usually treated with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). They target the brain, helping to reduce the number of seizures people have. They can even stop them altogether. Most people who take AEDs as their doctor advises find that they help.

AEDs usually have to be taken at the same time every day, to keep a constant level of the drug in your bloodstream. If you forget to take your AEDs, or suddenly stop taking them altogether, you’re at a higher risk of having a seizure.

Next time you see your doctor or epilepsy specialist, it’s a good idea to ask them what you should do if you ever accidentally forget to take your AEDs on time.

If your AEDs don’t work straight away, don’t give up! Get some advice from your doctor or specialist. There are loads of different AEDs available, so it may take time to find the best AED and dose for you.

Will I have to take anti-epileptic drugs for the rest of my life?

The answer to this question is that there is no answer. Everyone is different. Some people will need to take anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) for their whole life. Others will ‘grow out of’ epilepsy and be able to give them up totally. The best person to ask about your personal situation is your epilepsy specialist.

If you’ve been seizure-free for a few years, you could talk to your doctor or epilepsy specialist about your options. They’ll let you know if they think it would be safe to stop taking your AEDs. They’ll also tell you the best way to do it.

Why should I take my anti-epileptic drugs?

It’s important to keep taking your anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), even if you haven’t had a seizure in a while. If you stop taking your AEDs you could have more seizures than you did before, and they may even be worse.

Side-effects of anti-epileptic drugs

Like most drugs, anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) can cause side-effects. These vary from person to person and depend on a number of things, like which AED you take, and if you take any other medication.

When you start taking AEDs, you should get a leaflet from your doctor or pharmacist telling you about the possible side-effects. The side-effects include lack of concentration, tiredness, spots and weight gain or loss.

It’s possible that you will experience any of the side-effects listed on the leaflet. However, most people get few or mild side-effects. Some people don’t get any side-effects at all. If you get any side-effects at all, talk to your doctor. They’ll try to find a way to stop them happening.

It’s worth remembering that your teenage years are a time when your body goes through lots of hormonal changes. These can also result in things like spots and changing weight. So these symptoms may not have anything to do with your AEDs.