You may be taking one or more medications to prevent seizures. To get the most benefit from them, you need to consistently take the right dose of the right medication at the right time. This can be difficult, but by following a few key tips, you can do it.

Key points

Become informed about the medications you are taking. Learn their names, their purpose, and their expected side effects. Know how often you are supposed to take them and what dose you are supposed to take.
Make taking your medication as simple as possible. Plan times to take your medications when you are doing other regularly occurring activities, like eating a meal or getting ready for bed. This will make it easier for you to remember to take your medications.
Take a list of your medications with you whenever you visit your doctor. Let your doctor know if you are having problems with your medication schedule or if you have any changes in your health that might affect your medication needs, such as a sudden increase in seizures, weight gain or loss, unexpected or intolerable side effects from the medication, or another medical condition.
It may take time and careful, controlled adjustments by you and your doctor to find the combination, schedule, and dosing of medication to best manage your epilepsy. The goal is to prevent seizures while causing as few unwanted side effects as possible. Once the most effective medication program is determined, it is important that you follow it exactly as prescribed.
What do medications do for epilepsy?
Why is it important to take your medications properly?
How to take your medications properly
Where to go from here

More information about epilepsy and seizure disorders can be found in these topics:

Epilepsy
Seizures

What do medications do for epilepsy?

Medications do not cure epilepsy, but they can prevent seizures. The medications used to treat epilepsy work in various ways to help reduce the abnormal electrical impulses in your brain. The specific medications prescribed for you depend first on what kinds of seizures you have. Your age, activity level, overall physical condition, and other health issues, as well as the side effects, health risks, and costs of different medications, may also help determine what kind of medication is best for you.

Remember, it can take some time and careful, controlled adjustments by your doctor to find the most effective combination, schedule, and dose of medication to control your seizures. Preventing seizures with as few unwanted side effects as possible is desirable. It is important to follow your medication schedule exactly as prescribed.

Test Your Knowledge

Medications can cure epilepsy.
True
The answer is incorrect

Medications do not cure epilepsy. However, they can prevent seizures.

False
The answer is correct

Medications do not cure epilepsy. However, they can prevent seizures.

Why is it important to take your medications properly?

Antiepileptic medications are most effective when you maintain the proper medication level in your body. Your doctor has set up a schedule of medication dosages that maintains that proper level. Even slight changes in your medication schedule or dosage can throw the whole system off. If you do not take your medications properly, you could begin (or continue) having seizures.

Taking your medications properly can help you achieve better control over your epilepsy. If you have lost work or driving privileges, getting seizures under control—and keeping them under control—may help you get back to work or back behind the wheel. Not having seizures means you can avoid the dangers of seizures (falls, drowning, choking) and avoid hospitalizations.

Test Your Knowledge

Even small changes in the times that I take my medications can affect how they work.
True
The answer is correct

Even slight changes to your medication schedule or dosage can increase your risk for seizures. Consistently taking your medication on time and in the proper dosage provides the most effective seizure control.

False
The answer is incorrect

Even slight changes to your medication schedule or dosage can increase your risk for seizures. Consistently taking your medication on time and in the proper dosage provides the most effective seizure control.

How to take your medications properly

Here's how you can get started taking your medications properly.

Develop a medication plan

Work with your doctor to develop a medication plan. Factors to consider include:

Names of all medications. Write down both the prescription and generic names for your medications. Have your doctor check the list. You can use this list to verify that the medications you get from the pharmacy are correct. Get a clear explanation of what the medication does and why you are taking it.
Medication schedule. Be sure you understand how much of each medication to take and when to take each one. Ask your doctor if you can simplify your medication schedule. This may make it easier for you to remember to take your medications as directed.
How to handle missed doses. Even the most careful people miss a dose now and then. Talk with your doctor about what you should do if you miss a dose of your medication. Discuss and write down what to do for each medication; what you should do if you miss a dose may differ from one medication to another.
Medication costs. If cost is a consideration in developing a medication plan, ask your doctor whether less expensive, equally effective generic brands would be appropriate for you. You may want to ask him or her for a 90-day supply of your medications if it is more economical. Compare prices between several pharmacies, and consider mail-order pharmacies.
Medications to avoid. Some nonprescription medications and drugs may react with your prescribed epilepsy medications. Make a list of medications to avoid, and check with your doctor before taking any medications on this list.
Get organized

Taking medications properly means taking the right dose of the right medication at the right time. To be sure you are taking your medications properly, you may want to develop a system to keep track of when and how you take your pills.

Make a list of all your medications and keep it up to date. At every visit with your doctor, review your master list of medications .
Plan a daily schedule of medications. Post your medication schedule in a prominent place near your medicine cabinet. Take it along when you travel. Record your medication schedule in a daily planner that has spaces for hourly entries.
Use a pillbox. Get a pillbox that holds a week's worth of pills. You can also label an empty egg carton and use it to organize one day's or one week's worth of pills.
Post reminders. Get sticky note pads and post reminders to take your medications near clocks or on the bathroom mirror to keep you on schedule.
Taking your medications

Keep the following in mind as you follow your medication plan.

Store medications properly. Keeping medications in a location that is too hot or too cold may decrease their effectiveness. Find out from your doctor or pharmacist how to properly store your medications. Always remember to store medications out of the reach of children.
Watch for side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what side effects to expect. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are having side effects from your medications.
Post a list of medications to avoid in a place where you can refer to it whenever you need to. Always check with your doctor before taking any additional medications, prescription or nonprescription. This includes any herbal or natural supplements.
Take your medication list with you for each visit with your doctor and take time to review it.
Notify your doctor immediately if you start having more seizures than usual. Let your doctor know if you have any changes in your health that might affect your medication needs, such as weight gain or another medical condition.
Test Your Knowledge

What tools can help me take my medications properly?
A daily planner
The answer is correct

A daily planner can be very helpful in taking your medications properly. You can write your medication schedule and dosages in the planner and take it with you to work or school or when you travel.

Sticky notes
The answer is correct

You can post sticky notes on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror or near the clock to remind yourself to take your medication.

A master list of medications
The answer is correct

With a master list of medications, you can keep track of all medications you are taking, their proper dosages, their possible side effects, and your schedule for taking them.

All of the above
The answer is correct

Daily planners, sticky notes, and a master list of medications can all help you take your medications properly.

I don't need to tell my doctor if I start having more seizures than usual while I'm on medication. This is normal.
True
The answer is incorrect

If you start having more seizures than normal, it may be a sign that your medication needs to be adjusted. Tell your doctor immediately.

False
The answer is correct

You should definitely tell your doctor if you start having more seizures than normal while you are on medication. Your medication may need to be adjusted.

Talk with your doctor

If you have questions about this information, take the packet with you when you visit your doctor. You may want to use a highlighter to mark areas or make notes in the margins of the pages where you have questions.

If you don't already have a medication plan, schedule a time with your doctor to develop one.