Medicines for Partial Seizures

Keep your healthcare provider informed

Don’t be afraid to talk to your healthcare provider about your medicines. Speaking up is the only way your provider can know if your medicine is working right. Be sure to tell your provider if:

• You are still having seizures. Keep a seizure calendar to accurately keep track of your seizures. 

• You notice any side effects from the medicine

• You are taking any other medicines—even over-the-counter ones.

It's always important to be under the regular care of a healthcare provider if you have a seizure disorder.

Make it a habit

Try some of these ideas to make it easier to remember to take medicine:

• Set a watch or clock to go off when it’s time for the next dose.

• Keep medicine with things you use routinely. Store it near your makeup, toothbrush, or coffee mug, for example.

• Use a pillbox to count out all the pills you need for a week.

• Ask family, friends, or coworkers to remind you when it’s time to take a dose.

• Consider a phone or Internet-based app that reminds you to take your medicine.

• Keep your medicines in a secure location. Be sure they are stored in child-proof containers and out of the reach of children.

Take medicine as directed

You need a certain amount of medicine in your blood at all times. This way, when a seizure happens, your body is ready for it. Never skip a dose or stop taking your medicine without your healthcare provider knowing. Doing so could result in serious consequences. It's quite common for people with epilepsy to miss a single dose once in a while. Often, nothing bad happens, but your chance of having a seizure may be higher. Missing 1 dose is more likely to cause seizures if you're scheduled to take your medicine only once a day. Then, if you miss a dose, you've missed a full day of medicine. If you take it 2 to 4 times a day, the risk from missing 1 dose is less. But if you miss several doses in a row, the likelihood of a breakthrough seizure will be higher. So take all precautions to ensure that you take your medicine on time.

Ask your provider for written instructions on what to do if you miss a dose of medicine. Always check with your pharmacist about drug interactions before starting a new medicine or using any over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and supplements.