Adult Epilepsy Medicines—
How Do They Work?

There are many types of epilepsy medicines. Each one works in a different way to help prevent seizures, and epilepsy medicines often affect people differently. It may take some time to find one or more medicines for you. But in time, the right medicine should help to prevent your seizures.

Give your medicine time to work for you!

• Your doctor may start you off with a low dose. Over time, your doctor may slowly raise the dose until it reaches the right level.
• Your doctor may first try to control your seizures with one medicine. But sometimes two or more medicines are needed. Your doctor may order blood tests on a regular basis.

I stop taking my medicine if it makes me feel worse.

• Most epilepsy medicines have side effects. Tell your doctor about any side effects you may have—some may be signs of serious health problems. Some can be managed or may go away over time.
• Keep talking to your doctor. Your doctor may even be able to prescribe a different type of medicine.
• DO NOT stop taking your medicine unless instructed to do so by your doctor. Serious seizures may occur.

My seizures have stopped. I don't need
to take my medicine anymore.

• Taking your medicine as instructed by your doctor is probably why you have not had a seizure. You need to keep taking your medicine to help stay as seizure free as possible.

For Women

• Talk to your doctor before you become pregnant AND right after you find out.
• Talk to your doctor if:

• Talk to your doctor if you are starting to take birth control pills. Many epilepsy medicines can affect how birth control pills work. Birth control pills can also affect how many epilepsy medicines work. Your doctor may need to adjust one or more of your medicines.

Fill out the Medicine Chart with the help of your doctor.

• My Medicine Schedule