Epilepsy is usually treated with seizure-preventing medicine. There are more than 20 medicines for epilepsy; they may have to be taken several times a day, or once or twice a day, depending on the type of drug.
Whenever possible, doctors try to prevent seizures with a single medication (monotherapy), although some people may need more than one medication (polytherapy) to achieve seizure control.
In selecting a drug, the doctor considers a number of factors, including what kind of seizures you have. Different medicines control different types of seizures.
People also react to medicines in different ways. Some have side effects; others may not. Some people's seizures respond well to a medicine, while someone else will have seizures that come back.
It may take some time to find exactly the right dose of the right medicine for you.
Taking medicine on time every day keeps the right amount in your bloodstream to fight seizures. It's not a good idea to miss doses. Don't take fewer tablets than you're supposed to. If the level of drug gets too low, the seizures may come back.
What about side effects? All medicines can cause them. Some go away once you get used to the meds. Some depend on how much you have to take to prevent seizures. Some people have allergic reactions to medicines that others can take without difficulty. Ask your doctor what side effects to watch out for and what to do if you experience them.
Remember, you may be one of the many who experience no side effects from epilepsy medicines.
For more information about medication as a treatment option, please click on the picture.
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