Epilepsy Action: UK Anti-Epileptic Drugs List

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Epilepsy Action is a working name of British Epilepsy Association.

British Epilepsy Association is a Registered Charity (Registered in England No. 234343) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (Registered in England No. 797997).

© Epilepsy Action 2008

Epilepsy Information - Medical Management

Bottle UK Anti-Epileptic Drugs List

A very valid concern felt by many people is what side effects they are likely to experience. A glance at the most common or important side effects may look rather alarming. However, it should be remembered that although any of these side effects is a possibility, the majority of people will experience few or relatively mild side effects.

Some of the side effects affecting the central nervous system, such as drowsiness or dizziness, may be more apparent in the early days of taking the medication while the body is adjusting to taking drugs. Once this has happened, these should lessen or disappear completely. If that does not happen, then it is important to talk to the doctor again who may suggest changing either the dosage or the drug itself.

Drugwatch - Keep up to date with the latest alerts and news relating to epilepsy medication
www.epilepsy.org.uk/drugwatch

The following information is taken mainly from British National Formulary (BNF) Number 55 (March 2008). Published by the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, it is updated twice a year. For the latest guidance, visit www.bnf.org.

Generic names	Brand names
acetazolamide acetazolomide modified release carbamazepine carbamazepine modified release clobazam clonazepam ethosuximide gabapentin lamotrigine levetiracetam oxcarbazepine phenobarbital (phenobarbitone) phenytoin pregabalin primidone rufinamide sodium valproate sodium valproate modified release tiagabine topiramate valproic acid vigabatrin zonisamide	Diamox Diamox SR Tegretol Tegretol Retard Frisium Rivotril Emeside; Zarontin Neurontin Lamictal Keppra Trileptal Epanutin Lyrica Mysoline Inovelon Epilim; Episenta Epilim Chrono Gabitril Topamax Convulex Sabril Zonegran

The drugs listed are those usually prescribed for everyday seizure control. Other drugs, such as diazepam or midazolam, are available for emergency use. Under the heading Indications in epilepsy, the main use of each drug is given. In certain circumstances some drugs may be prescribed for purposes/seizure types other than those listed. Anti-epileptic drugs are available in a number of different formulations such as tablets, capsules, chewtabs, sugar-free liquid, syrup, dispersible tablets, crushable tablets and sprinkle capsules.

For further information about anti-epileptic drugs, side effects, dosages etc, please consult your GP, specialist, refer to the BNF or contact the Epilepsy Helpline: freephone 0808 800 5050; email helpline@epilepsy.org.uk.

Click on the drug name for further information or scroll down for the full list:

Glossary: adjunct/adjunctive – used with other anti-epileptic drugs

Generic name	Some brand names	Strengths available	Indications in epilepsy	Date of UK licence
acetazolamide	Diamox	250 mg	Has a specific role in treating epilepsy associated with menstruation. It can also be used with other anti-epileptics for tonic-clonic and partial seizures. It is occasionally helpful in atypical absences, atonic and tonic seizures	1988
acetazolomide modified release	Diamox SR	250 mg	As above
carbamazepine	Tegretol	100 mg 200 mg 400 mg 100 mg/5 mL	Partial and secondary generalised tonic-clonic seizures, primary generalised seizures	1965
carbamazepine modified release	Carbagen SR Tegretol Retard	200 mg 400 mg	As carbamazepine	1965
clobazam	Frisium	10 mg	Adjunct in epilepsy	1979
clonazepam	Rivotril	0.5mg 2 mg	All forms of epilepsy	1979
ethosuximide	Emeside Zarontin	250 mg 250 mg/5 mL	Absence seizures	1955
gabapentin	Neurontin	100 mg 300 mg 400 mg 600 mg 800 mg	Monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation	1993
lamotrigine	Lamictal	2 mg 5 mg 25 mg 50 mg 100 mg 200 mg	Monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of partial seizures and primary and secondarily generalised tonic-clonic seizures; seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome	1991
levetiracetam	Keppra	250 mg 500 mg 750 mg 1000 mg 100 mg/5 mL	Monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation and for adjunctive therapy of myoclonic seizures and generalised tonic-clonic seizures	2000
oxcarbazepine	Trileptal	150 mg 300 mg 600 mg 300 mg/5 mL	Montherapy and adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalised tonic-clonic seizures	2000
phenobarbital (phenobarbitone)		15 mg 30 mg 60mg 15 mg/5 mL	All forms of epilepsy except absence seizures	1912
phenytoin	Epanutin	25 mg 50 mg 100 mg 300 mg 30 mg/5 mL	All forms of epilepsy except absence seizures	1938
pregabalin	Lyrica	25 mg 50 mg 75 mg 100 mg 150 mg 200 mg 300 mg	Adjunctive therapy for partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation	2004
primidone	Mysoline	250 mg	All forms of epilepsy except absence seizures	1952
rufinamide	Inovelon	100mg 200mg 400mg	Adjunctive treatment of seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome	2007
sodium valproate	Epilim Orlept	100 mg 200 mg 500 mg 200 mg/5 mL	All forms of epilepsy	1973
sodium valproate modified release	Epilim Chrono Episenta	200 mg 300 mg 500 mg	All forms of epilepsy
tiagabine	Gabitril	5 mg 10 mg 15 mg	Adjunctive treatment for partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation	1998
topiramate	Topamax	15 mg 25 mg 50 mg 100 mg 200 mg	Monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of generalised tonic-clonic seizures or partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation; adjunctive treatment of seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome	1995
valproic acid	Convulex	150 mg 300 mg 500 mg	All forms of epilepsy	1993
vigabatrin	Sabril	500 mg	Initiated and supervised by appropriate specialist, adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation not satisfactorily controlled with other anti-epileptic drugs; monotherapy for management of infantile spasms (West’s syndrome)	1973
zonisamide	Zonegran	25 mg 50 mg 100 mg	Adjunctive therapy for refractory partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation	2005

last updated April 2008