Epilepsy Medication

Epilepsy medication is often used to treat the symptoms of epilepsy, but it is not a cure for the disease. When a person starts a new epilepsy drug, it is important to tailor the dosage to achieve the best results -- it often takes time to find the right dose to provide optimal control of seizures while minimizing side effects. Since 1990, a large number of epilepsy medications have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); some of the more recently approved drugs include diazepam, felbamate, and pregabalin.

 

An Overview of Epilepsy Medication

Treatment for epilepsy can include special diets, medication, surgery, or a combination of these options. By far, however, the most common treatment is epilepsy medication, known as antiseizure medicine or anticonvulsants.
 

General Information About Epilepsy Medication

Below is some general information concerning epilepsy medication:
 
  • For about 80 percent of those people diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with epilepsy medications, surgery, or both.
  • People with epilepsy may take medicine up to four times a day to prevent seizures.
  • Epilepsy medications best treat the symptoms of epilepsy. However, they do not cure the disease.
  • There are many different forms of epilepsy, and certain types of epilepsy medication seem to work best for different types of epilepsy.
     

Types of Epilepsy Medication

Since 1990, a large number of new epilepsy medications have been approved, increasing the treatment options for patients and their doctors.
 
The oldest drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy include phenobarbital, introduced in 1912, and Dilantin® (phenytoin), in use since 1938. Altogether there are nearly two dozen different epilepsy medications approved for epilepsy treatment. Some recent drugs that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved include:
 
(Epilepsy Medication Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD