Getting antiseizure medicines

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HealthWiki > Epilepsy and Seizures > Chapter 4: Medicines for epilepsy and seizures > Getting antiseizure medicines

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

• Chapter 4: Medicines for epilepsy and seizures
• Getting antiseizure medicines
• Using antiseizure medicines
• Starting medicine for epilepsy
• Changing antiseizure medicines
• Common antiseizure medicines
• Rescue medicines for status epilepticus
• Medicines to lower fever
• Side effects of antiseizure medicines
• When and how to stop antiseizure medicines

For many years, only a few antiseizure medicines were available. Research in the past few decades has led to the development of many new medicines. These provide more treatment options and may have fewer side effects or be easier to combine with other medicines.

Unfortunately, newer medicines may not be available everywhere or may cost more than most people can afford. Making sure antiseizure medicines are available to everyone who needs them is one of the greatest challenges facing people with epilepsy worldwide.

Medicine names

Medicines usually have at least 2 names. The generic (or scientific or chemical) name is almost always the same all over the world. Companies that make medicines often give each medicine they make a brand name. The same medicine made by 2 different companies will have 2 different brand names. In this book, we use generic names. Although they contain the same ingredients and their quality is just as good, generic medicines usually cost less than brand name medicines. In the boxes about specific medicines, we include examples of brand names for each medicine.

Where can you get antiseizure medicines?

Antiseizure medicines may be readily available where you live. But often, they are only available at clinics or hospitals in large towns or cities. A health worker, pharmacy worker (sometimes called a “chemist”), or a person with epilepsy can help you learn whether the antiseizure medicine you need is available in your area, either as a generic or a brand name medicine.

I understand keeping a steady supply is good for my health. But I lose a whole day of work trying to get more. Can you give me enough medicine to last 2 or 3 months?

I am glad you are looking out for yourself. Let me check with the pharmacy and try to get you a longer-term prescription.

Try not to run out of medicine

Because most antiseizure medicines must be taken every day, it is important to have a steady supply. If someone misses a dose or suddenly stops taking their medicine, it can cause them to have seizures again. Talk to a pharmacist or other health worker to know if the medicine you need is regularly available in your community. If it is sometimes not available or is only available at places difficult for you to get to, find out if you can get larger refills or where you can get more if local supplies run out. If possible, keep enough medicine on hand for a month. See information about what to do about missed doses.

We must find a way to make antiseizure medicines available close to where people live.

Or perhaps make it easier for people to travel to places where the medicines are available.

Mrs. Otieno asked if one member of her mothers’ group could pick up medicine for all of them each month.

Do not share medicine

People with epilepsy control their seizures with different doses of different antiseizure medicines. This makes safely sharing antiseizure medicine with another person difficult and maybe even dangerous. Talk to a health worker if your medicine supply is running out and medicine is not available or affordable.

This page was updated:19 May 2026